Abstract Aromatic hydrocarbons (benzene, p-xylene) are conveniently p-diacetylated by the regiospecific reductive p-disilylation/diacetylation process, followed by oxidative aromatization. The reaction uses trimethylchlorosilane which is recovered during the course of reaction. It gives diacetyl cyclohexadiene intermediates, novel species which prove relatively stable in an inert atmosphere.