Synthesis and reactivity of lithium tri(quinolinyl)magnesates

2-, 3- and 4-Bromoquinolines were converted to the corresponding lithium tri(quinolinyl)magnesates at −10°C when exposed to Bu3MgLi in THF. The resulting organomagnesium derivatives were quenched with various electrophiles or involved in metal-catalyzed coupling reactions with heteroaryl halides to afford functionalized quinolines.