Evidence for single electron transfer (SET) pathway in the reaction of primary alkylcadmium reagents with p-benzoquinone

The reaction of primary alkylcadmium reagents with p-benzoquinone at various conditions was studied. On the basis of our results, reaction proceeds through a SET mechanism that forms loose and tight intermediates, which produce quinole (1) and substituted hydroquinone (2). In both cases, hydroquinone (3) is obtained in different yields.