Selective halogen-magnesium exchange reaction via organomagnesium ate complex

Halogen-magnesium exchange of various aryl halides is achieved with a magnesium ate complex at low temperatures; Tributylmagnesate ((Bu3MgLi)-Bu-n) induces facile iodine-magnesium exchange at -78 degreesC. Dibutylisopropylmagnesate ((PrBu2MgLi)-Pr-i-Bu-n) is more reactive than (Bu3MgLi)-Bu-n, and this reagent accomplishes selective bromine-magnesium exchange at -78 degreesC. This procedure is utilized for the preparation of various polyfunctionalized arylmagnesium species. The exchange of alkenyl halides using this method proceeds with retention of configuration of the double bond.