Phosphorodiamidate-Directed Metalation of N-Heterocycles using Mg- and Zn-TMP Bases

The strong directing ability of the N,N,N',N'-tetramethyldiaminophosphorodiamidate group has been used to achieve selective metalations on various heterocycles such as pyridines, quinolines and quinoxalines with TMP-derived bases like TMPMgCl.LiCl, TMP2Mg.2LiCl, and TMP2Zn.2MgCl(2).2LiCl. This protocol was applied in the synthesis of etoricoxib, talnetant and a P-selectin inhibitor.