Abstract: An improved process for the manufacture of a dihydric phenol such as hydroquinone wherein a dialkylbenzene is oxidized to a dihydroperoxide, the dihydroperoxide being extracted from the oxidate by a caustic solution, leaving an organic phase for recycle to the oxidizer, the improvement comprising decreasing the caustic concentration in the recycle organic phase and increasing the dihydroperoxide concentration of the recycle phase by washing the organic phase from the caustic extract with an aqueous phase removed from the oxidizer, separating the organic phase from the aqueous phase and subsequently introducing the organic phase to the oxidizer.