The invention relates to an improved process for the production of 2,3,5-trimethylhydroquinone diesters by rearrangement of 2,6,6-trimethyl-2-cyclohexene-1,4-dione (4-oxoisophorone, ketoisophorone) in the presence of a dissolved, acidic catalyst and an acylating agent, such as for example carboxylic anhydrides or carboxylic acid halides. The 2,3,5-trimethylhydroquinone diester can optionally then be saponified to give free 2,3,5-trimethylhydroquinone (TMHQ), which is a valuable building block in the synthesis of vitamin E.