Synthetic methodology is presented which allows the facile synthesis of 2, 5-disubstituted 1, 4-benzoquinones. This involves the initial 1, 2-addition of an alkynyllithium reagent to one of the carbonyl groups of 2, 5-diethoxyor 2, 5-dichloro-3, 6-dimethoxy-1, 4-benzoquinone. This is followed by an analogous addition of an alkyl-, aryl-, or alkynyllithium to the remaining carbonyl to give a cyclohexa-2, 5-diene-1, 4-diol derivative. Acid hydrolysis of these ...