Selective lithiation of bis(furan-2-yl)methane: an efficient protocol for novel meso-functionalised synthons

Bis(furan-2-yl)methane can be lithiated at the inter-ring carbon atom (meso-position) to give carbanions, which react with a variety of electrophiles to yield meso-elaborated derivatives in high yield and regioselectivity. This constitutes the first general approach to the title compounds.