The invention relates to a method for producing 2,3,5-trimethyl benzoquinone or a compound containing 2,3,5-trimethyl benzoquinone, the method comprising the following steps: Oxidation of 2,3,6-trimethylphenol with oxygen or an oxygen-containing gas in a two- or multi-phase reaction medium in the presence of a catalyst or catalyst system containing at least one copper (II)-halide to a mixture containing 2,3,5-trimethyl benzoquinone, characterized in that the reaction medium contains water and at least one secondary aliphatic acyclic alcohol having 6 or more, preferably 7 or more, carbon atoms.