α-Lithiated Aryl Benzyl Ethers: Inhibition of [1,2]-Wittig Rearrangement and Application to the Synthesis of Benzo[b]furan Derivatives

The use of t-BuLi at low temperature selectively leads to α-lithiation of benzyl phenyl ether generating a stable organolithium, which can be efficiently trapped with a variety of selected electrophiles prior to suffering the expected [1,2]-Wittig rearrangement. In the case of (o-alkynyl)phenyl benzyl ethers, the intermediate α-aryloxyorganolithium undergoes an unexpected anti intramolecular carbolithiation reaction leading to functionalized benzo[b]furan derivatives.