The electrochemical generation and characterisation of a variety of o-quinodimethanes (o- QDMs) are described together with the outcome of preparative experiments in which they are key intermediates. The quinodimethanes are conveniently formed, in DMF, by both direct and redox-catalysed electroreduction of 1, 2-bis (halomethyl) arenes. Their predominant reaction is polymerisation to poly (o-xylylene)(o-PX) polymers. In the presence of ...