Regioselective Functionalization of Ester-, Amide-, Carbonate-, and Carbamate-Substituted 2-Phenyl-2-oxazolines with Mixed Lithium–Magnesium Amides

We have prepared novel highly functionalized benzene derivatives by regioselective metalation of ester-, amide-, carbamate-, and carbonate-substituted 2-phenyl-2-oxazolines with mixed lithium-magnesium amides followed by reaction with different electrophiles. While a complementary metalation site can be accessed by using different bases, steric and electronic effects promoted by the aromatic ring substituents also play an important role in reaction regioselectivity. Computational calculations of the aromatic hydrogen pKa values have helped us to rationalize the metalation preference by the complex-induced proximity effect concept.