Tributylmagnesium ate complex-mediated bromine–magnesium exchange of bromoquinolines: a convenient access to functionalized quinolines

2-, 3- and 4-bromoquinolines were converted to the corresponding lithium tri(quinolyl)magnesates at −10°C by treatment with Bu3MgLi in THF or toluene. The resulting organomagnesium derivatives were quenched by various electrophiles to afford functionalized quinolines.