New Methodologies Based on Arene-Catalyzed Lithiation Reactions and Their Application to Synthetic Organic Chemistry

Abstract

The applications of arene-catalyzed lithiation reactions during recent years are reviewed. This methodology has been used to obtain functionalized organolithium compounds from halogenated as well as nonhalogenated materials, such as heterocycles, sulfones, triflates, ethers, thioethers, amides, and esters. This arene-catalyzed lithiation has also been used in the preparation of polylithiated intermediates. Sub-stoichiometric amounts of the arene may be supported on a polymeric material, its catalytic activity being as efficient as in the solution version.