Grignard reagent prepared from 2 (Scheme A) indicates, that the metal organic component is not sensitive to steric inhibition in the coupling. This is corroborated by the efficient coupling of 2, 4, 5-triisopropylphenylmagnesium bromide 10 with 1-bromo-4-fiuorobenzene to give 11 (Scheme C). Compound 11 was converted to the arylated and sterically congested quinone 12 and hydroquinone 13, albeit in low yield for the oxidation step.
