Abstract: The research progresses at home and abroad on the synthesis of anthraquinone through oxidation of anthracene are reviewed. The gas-phase oxidation of anthracene has many advantages, such as adequate raw materials, relatively low cost, and environmentally friendly and is an ideal anthraquinone production method at present. The research progresses in the preparation of anthraquinone using t-butylhydroperoxide, hydrogen peroxide and oxygen as oxidant are also discussed.

Key words: anthraquinone, anthracene oxidation, hydrogen peroxide, peroxide tert-butanol, oxygen,