Generation and reaction of cyano-substituted aryllithium compounds using microreactors.

We developed a microflow method for the generation and reactions of aryllithiums bearing a cyano group, including o-lithiobenzonitrile, m-lithiobenzonitrile and p-lithiobenzonitrile. The method was effective at much higher temperatures than are required for conventional macrobatch reactions, by virtue of rapid mixing, short residence time, and efficient temperature control. In addition, reactions of o-lithiobenzonitrile with carbonyl compounds followed by trapping of the resulting lithium alkoxides with electrophiles were achieved in an integrated microflow system.