Differentiation between o- and p-quinol/quinone functionality with a simple test using cyclic voltammetry

Complexation with boric acid combined with cyclic voltammetry serves to prove theo-quinol/quinone functionality in emmotin H (1) and I (2). Supported by similar investigation of four reference compounds the method is suggested as a quick and reliable test ofo-quinol/quinone functionality and for differentiation fromp-quinol/quinone functionality. Voluminous groups such as 2-isopropanolyl ino-position do not interfere with the complex formation. The test requires quantities of materials in the order of 10 to 100g.