The reactions of three hydroxy- and/or methoxy-substituted stilbenes with hydrogen peroxide and peracetic acid have been investigated. Overall, the reactivity of stilbenes was greater towards peracetic acid than towards hydrogen peroxide. Among the stilbene model compounds studied, 4-hydroxystilbene (I) was virtually unreactive to hydrogen peroxide, but was oxidized by peracetic acid to a varying extent that was highly pH-dependent. 4,4'-Dihydroxy-3,3'-dimethoxystilbene (II) and 3,5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxystilbene (III) showed a greater reactivity to either hydrogen peroxide or peracetic acid than 4-hydroxystilbene (I).