According to Post 525531 (https://www.thevespiary.org/talk/index.php?topic=11863.msg52553100#msg52553100)
(demorol: "2,5-DMBA from 1,4-DMB in 89% yield", Novel Discourse) 1,4-dimethoxybenzene is converted to the benzaldehyde via oxidative hydroxymethylation.
It appears the hydroxylmethylation is done with H2SO4 and Paraformaldehyde. I'm wondering if this step had to be performed on its own, without the addition of DDQ, would one be able to get the corresponding alcohol. (using a phenol or maybe even something like anisole?)
If this is indeed the case the resulting alcohol can be distilled and oxidized via the DMSO route.
It would be interesting to see what would occur if Paraform, HBr and the phenolic compound were left to react in DMSO. Since the HBr fits both the utility as a catalyst for the DMSO oxidation and the acid donor required for hydroxymethylation.
Any thoughts or suggestions on this topic would be greatly appreciated.