Preparation of polymer-supported benzyllithium reagents

Cross-linked polystyrenes (2, 8, and 11) possessing pendant double bonds conjugated with benzene ring were prepared by both polymerization method and chemical modification of pre-formed polymers. These double bonds were readily lithiated with n-butyllithium to give the benzyllithium species on the polymer. The polymer supported benzylic anions (3 and 12) are a versatile polymeric organometallic reagent that reacted with various kinds of electrophiles.