α-Methoxy-benzylmetals: Original synthesis and reactivity

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4039(97)01410-X

Although 1-methoxy-1-methylseleno-toluene is efficiently metallated by KDA, the same compound as well as its higher homologues react with t-butyllithium producing 1-methoxy benzyllithiums via the C-Se bond cleavage. These species are efficiently alkylated by alkyl halides, even the secondary ones and react with THF in the presence of BF₃-OEt₂ to produce the homologated tetrahydropyran derivative in good yield.