The researchers studied how a chemical called chloranil behaves in a hot liquid made of aluminum chloride and sodium chloride. They found that chloranil can be reduced to a complex form in this liquid. The process involves the formation of a semiquinone, which then reacts with the liquid to form a dianion. This dianion can be further complexed with the liquid. The researchers also observed that tetrachlorohydroquinone can be oxidized back to chloranil in a controlled manner. The overall process is influenced by the acidity of the liquid and the speed of rotation.