Quinone Methide O-Protonation

4 CONCLUSIONS AND FUTURE PROSPECTS 7.4.1 Quinone Methide O-Protonation 

The most important conclusion of this research program is that quinone methide O-protonation is required for alkylation to occur. The quinone methide species is often referred to in the literature as an electrophilic species. Actually, the quinone methides obtained from reductive activation possess a slightly electron-rich methide center. There is electron release to the methide center by the hydroxyl, which is balanced by electron 

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