Abstract Quinols, 1, are products of the hydration of O-aryloxenium ions, 2, and N- arylnitrenium ions, 3, and they are being investigated for medical uses. Under acidic conditions (pH 1–3) kinetics and products of Br–trapping demonstrate that 1a, 4-phenyl-4- hydroxy-2, 5-cyclohexadienone, and 1b, 4-p-tolyl-4-hydroxy-2, 5-cyclohexadienone, generate the corresponding oxenium ions 2a and 2b, respectively, as steady-state ...