Reaction of <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-chloro-1,4-benzoquinone imines with thiols

N-Chloro-1,4-benzoquinone imines reacted with arenethiols to give different products, depending on the conditions and initial quinone imine structure. N-(Arylsulfanyl)-1,4-benzoquinone imines were obtained as a result of nucleophilic substitution of the chlorine atom, and 1,4-benzoquinone imines containing an aryl-sulfanyl substituent in the quinoid ring were formed according to the radical mechanism. The reactions of N-chloro-1,4-benzoquinone imines with heterocyclic thiols afforded only the corresponding chlorine substitution products.