Rate coefficients for the gas-phase reaction of hydroxyl (OH) radicals with two methylated benzoquinones have been measured at atmospheric pressure over the temperature range 284-313K using the relative rate method. The following Arrhenius expressions (in cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1)) have been obtained: k((25DMBQ)) = (8.59 +/- 4.70) x 10(-12)exp[(228 +/- 163)/T] and k((25DMBQ)) = (5.11 +/- 2.79) x 10(-12)exp[(399 +/- 165)/T] for 2,5-dimethylbenzoquinone (2,5DMBQ) and 2,6-dimethylbenzoquinone (2,6DMBQ), respectively, with corresponding values at 298K: k((25DMBQ)) =(2.05 +/- 0.46) x 10(-11) and k((25DMBQ)) = (1.93 +/- 0.12) x 10(-11). The rate coefficients are compared to those reported for similar compounds and discussed in terms of structure-activity relationships. The results are also used to calculate atmospheric lifetimes for 2,5DMBQ and 2,6DMBQ with respect to reaction with OH radicals. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.