Abstract Diaminoquinone methides Xa-Xe were prepared by aminolysis of the dicyanoquinone methide IX. From the isolated intermediates XI and XIII a four-step mechanism was deduced, involving addition and elimination steps in the order Ad-E-Ad-E. Condensation of N, N, N', N'-tetramethylchloroformamidinium chloride with 2, 6-ditert- butylphenol afforded bis (dimethylamino)-quinone methide Xc which on transamination ...