Vanadomolybdophosphate supported on active carbon, NPV6Mo6/C, catalyzed the oxidation and coupling reaction of 2,3,6-trimethylphenol by dioxygen to give trimethyl-p-benzoquinone and 4,4'-dihydroxy-2,2',3,3',5,5'-hexamethylbiphenyl, respectively, depending on the solvent used. Hydroquinones and benzyl alcohol were selectively dehydrogenated by the present system, giving the corresponding p-benzoquinones and benzaldehyde, respectively, in good yields.