Chemistry Department, University of Lucknow, Lucknow-226 007 Manuscript received 19 November 1981, revised 16 August 1982, accepted 10 December 1982 The kinetics of oxidation of quinol by mercuric perchlorate have been studied in perchloric acid medium. The order of reaction both with respect to quinol and Hg(II) has been found to be unity. The rate of reaction decreases with increase in the con��centration of perchloric acid The reaction rate decreases on addition of sodium acetate due to formation of different reacting species whereas on addition of NaHO4 it increases due to primary salt effect. The mechanism of the it action has been suggested on the basis of two electron transition of HOD. The effect of solvent and temperature has also been discussed. The produced \(p\)-benzoquioone does not exist in free state but forms stable (1 : 1) complex with mercuric perchiorate which has been characterized by tic and it studies.