Monohydric alcohols as models for cellulose were reacted with anthraquinone (AQ) and three of its alkali-soluble derivatives in 1M sodium hydroxide at 170°C. Cyclohexanol and cyclohexanemethanol were selected as soluble secondary and primary alcohols, respectively, and the steroidal alcohols, lithocholic acid and cholestan-3β-o1, as less soluble models. In every case the AQs oxidised the alcohols, although cyclohexanemethanol and the insoluble cholestanol were oxidised only to a minor extent with AQ after 6 h. The efficacy of oxidation by the quinones was in the order sodium AQ-2-sulfonate (AMS) > AQ-2-carboxylic acid > 2-hydroxy-AQ > AQ.