Other reagents also failed to effect the cleavage of the methyl ether of these quinones. These reagents included Me3SiI, LiI/collidine, and aqueous base.'^^ The quinones 1, 3, 6, and 9 were synthesized by a standard sequence of reactions. 4-(2, 4, 5-Trimethoxypheny1) butanoic acid was prepared by Friedel-Crafts acylation of trimethoxybenzene with succinic anhydride followed by reduction with Zn/HCl."" The dianion of this acid was alkylated, 12 ...