2,3-Dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone
![Structural formula of dichlorodicyanobenzoquinone](/Images/godic/202501/08/Dichlorodicyanobenzoquinone.svg3954.png")
![Space-filling model of the dichlorodicyanobenzoquinone molecule](/Images/godic/202501/08/Dichlorodicyanobenzoquinone_3D_spacefill3954.png")
![](/Images/godic/202501/08/DDQ-oxi-coupling13954.png")
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, phenols, and steroid ketones in organic chemistry. DDQ decomposes in water, but is stable in aqueous mineral acid.