First cross-coupling reactions of arylmagnesates: a convenient access to heteroarylquinolines

2-, 3- and 4-Bromoquinolines were converted to the corresponding lithium tri(quinolyl)magnesates at −10°C on treatment with Bu3MgLi in THF. The resulting organomagnesium derivatives were involved in catalyzed cross-coupling reactions with heteroaryl bromides and chlorides to afford functionalized quinolines.