Reactivity and physical properties of π-conjugated hydrocarbon systems depend predominantly on the topology of π-electrons array. Quinoidal conjugations serve as giving diradical character to molecules, leading to unique chemical behaviors. The simplest member of quinodimethanes are o-, m-, and p-quinodimethanes, which are very reactive due to diradical character and cannot be isolated under normal experimental conditions. However, chemical modifications, such as π-extension or introduction of substituent groups, of quinodimethanes imparts stabilities to quinodimethanes that can be handled under ambient conditions. This chapter offers an overview of reactivity and magnetic properties of benzenoid o-, m-, and p-quinodimethanes.
Keywords: Benzenoid; Clar sextet; Diradical; Graphene nanoribbon; Quinodimethane.