TMPZnCl•LiCl: A New Active Selective Base for the Directed Zincation of Sensitive Aromatics and Heteroaromatics

A wide range of polyfunctional aryl and heteroaryl zinc reagents were efficiently prepared in THF via direct zincation using TMPZnCl center dot LiCl, a new exceptionally mild and efficient base. Activated arenes and heteroarenes are metalated at room temperature. Remarkably, sensitive functions such as an aldehyde as well as a nitro group are tolerated, expanding significantly the scope of directed metalations.