“…The more sterically hindered duroquinone, 2i, does not react as an electrophile with the NHCs 1a and 1b. Instead, the NHCs act as Brønsted bases to initiate the dimerization of 2i into the previously reported diduroquinone (11) 72 in moderate yields (with 1a, 45%; with 1b, 38%; Scheme 7). By contrast, no reaction was observed between NHC 1a or 1b and Kharasch's 3,3′,5,5′-tetra-tert-butyldiphenoquinone (2j), which lacks acidic protons.…”