Phosphorodiamidate-directed metalation of N-heterocycles using Mg- and Zn-TMP bases.

The strong directing ability of the N,N,N',N'-tetramethyldiaminophosphorodiamidate group has been used to achieve selective metalations on various heterocycles such as pyridines, quinolines and quinoxalines with TMP-derived bases like TMPMgCl x LiCl, TMP(2)Mg x 2 LiCl, and TMP(2)Zn x 2 MgCl(2) x 2 LiCl. This protocol was applied in the synthesis of etoricoxib, talnetant and a P-selectin inhibitor.