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| Names | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Preferred IUPAC name 4,5-Dichloro-3,6-dioxocyclohexa-1,4-diene-1,2-dicarbonitrile [2]  | |||
| Other names 
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| Identifiers | |||
| 3D model (JSmol) | |||
| Abbreviations | DDQ | ||
| ChemSpider | |||
| ECHA InfoCard | 100.001.402 | ||
| EC Number | 
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|  PubChem CID | |||
| RTECS number | 
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| UNII | |||
|  CompTox Dashboard (EPA) | |||
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| Properties | |||
| C8Cl2N2O2 | |||
| Molar mass | 227.00 g·mol−1 | ||
| Appearance | yellow to orange powder | ||
| Density | 1.7g/cm3 | ||
| Melting point | 210–215 °C (410–419 °F; 483–488 K) (decomposes) | ||
| Boiling point | 301.8 °C (575.2 °F; 575.0 K) at 760mmHg | ||
| reacts | |||
| Hazards | |||
| GHS labelling: | |||
|   | |||
| Danger | |||
| H301 | |||
| P264, P270, P301+P310, P321, P330, P405, P501 | |||
| Flash point | 136.3 °C (277.3 °F; 409.4 K) | ||
| Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). | |||
2,3-Dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone (or DDQ) is the chemical reagent with formula C6Cl2(CN)2O2. This oxidant is useful for the dehydrogenation of alcohols, [3] phenols, [4] and steroid ketones. [5] DDQ decomposes in water, but is stable in aqueous mineral acid. [6]
Synthesis of DDQ involves cyanation of chloranil. J. Thiele and F. Günther first reported a 6-step preparation in 1906. [7] The substance did not receive interest until its potential as a dehydrogenation agent was discovered. A single-step chlorination from 2,3-dicyanohydroquinone was reported in 1965. [8]
The reagent removes pairs of H atoms from organic molecules. The stoichiometry of its action is illustrated by the conversion of tetralin to naphthalene:
The resulting hydroquinone is poorly soluble in typical reaction solvents (dioxane, benzene, alkanes), which facilitates workup.
Solutions of DDQ in benzene are red, due to the formation of a charge-transfer complex. [9]
 
  [10]
  [10]  
 DDQ reacts with water to release highly toxic hydrogen cyanide (HCN). [6]