1,6-Conjugate addition of generated aryldiazenes to -quinone methides.

Herein we report a transition-metal free, base-mediated 1,6-conjugate addition of aryldiazenes to -quinone methides (-QMs). Arylhydrazines were used for the generation of aryldiazenes using a base-mediated protocol in the presence of air as the oxidant. The 1,6-conjugate addition of aryldiazenes to -quinone methides a radical mechanism is followed by an oxidative rearrangement to furnish the desired product, arylhydrazones.