DDQ/H+ system readily oxidizes a variety of electron donors with oxidation potential as high as∼ 1.7 V to the corresponding cation radicals. A re-examination of the controversial arenium-ion versus cation-radical mechanisms for Scholl reaction using DDQ/H+ together with commonly utilized FeCl3 as oxidants led us to demonstrate that the reaction proceeds largely via a cation-radical mechanism. The critical experimental evidence in support of a ...
