A new mild method has been devised for generating o-(naphtho) quinone methides via fluoride-induced desilylation of silyl derivatives of o-hydroxybenzyl (or 1-naphthylmethyl) nitrate. The reactive o-(naphtho) quinone methide intermediates were trapped by C, O, N, and S nucleophiles and underwent “inverse electron-demand” hetero-Diels–Alder reaction with dienophiles to give stable adducts. The method has useful potential application in ...