Regioselectivity Differentiation in Metalations of 3,5-Dichloro-Tertiary versus Secondary Benzamides

Abstract

Metalation regioslectivity of 3,5-dichlorobenzamides is a function of the type of amide (secondary versus tertiary) used in the sequence. Metalation at the 2-position (adjacent to the carboxamide functional group) occurs when the secondary benzamide is metalated with sec-butyllithium/ TMEDA mediated through complex-induced proximity effects (CIPE) process, whereas metalation with sec-butyllithium/TMEDA occurs exclusively at the 4-position when the tertiary benzamide is used under identical reaction conditions.