Description

p-Benzoquinone is a yellow to green crystalline solid with a characteristic pungent odor. It can undergo numerous substitution and addition reaction and is readily converted to hydroquinone by treatment with reducing agents. The solid compound has considerable vapor pressure, and when heated gently, it sublimes, and condenses to large yellow crystals. p-Benzoquinone also reacts as a crosslinking agent with synthetic polyamides. It has been shown to increase the moistures resistance of nylon fiber thermoplastic and to reduce the flammability of nylon fiber. When used in nylon fiber for press clothes, it improves the heat resistance and strength of the fabric. p-Benzoquinone can act as a staining agent for proteins and polymides, which tends to limit its usefulness in some applications. This quinone does not require the presence of oxygen to be an effective inhibitor. It has been shown to be an in-process polymerization inhibitor for stabilizing methyl methacrylate, acrylonitric, and vinyl acetate monomer during production. P-Benzoquinone is useful in stabilizing unsaturated polyesters during processing, shipment, and storage in either uncatalyzed or percatalyzed form. It is also used as a chemical intermediate for herbicides like ethofumesate, GLYPHOSATE . It is also used in skin creams in the manufacture of Hydrocortisone.