The investigation and control of molecular properties is currently a dynamic research field. Here I present molecular level studies of porphyrin molecules adsorbed on metal surfaces via Low Temperature Scanning Tunneling Microscopy/Spectroscopy (STM/STS), supported by complementary X-ray absorption experiments. Intermolecular and molecule-surface interactions of tetrapyrdil porphyrin (TPyP) on Ag(111) and Cu(111) were investigated. TPyP self-assembles on Ag(111) over a wide sample temperature range into large, highly-ordered 2D chiral domains. By contrast, adsorption of TPyP on the more reactive Cu(111) leads to temperature dependent assemblies, governed decisively by the strong substrate influence. The increased metal-surface interactions on Cu(111) are accompanied by a conformational distortion of the porphyrin macrocycle. The TPyP’s pyridil groups were coordinated with single iron molecules, forming metal-organic complexes. Furthermore, the porphyrin’s macrocycle was metalated by exposing a layer of well-ordered TPyP to an iron atom beam, demonstrating a novel approach towards the fabrication of metallo-tetraaryl porphyrins performed in two dimensions under ultrahigh vacuum conditions. This method was similarly used to form lanthanideporphyrinates by coordinating tetraphenyl porphyrin (TPP) macrocycles with cerium. The influence of the metal center on the porphyrins’ electronic structure was investigated via STS for TPP, TPyP,Fe−TPyP, Fe−TPP, Ce−TPP, and Co−TPP, whereby the inhomogenous electron density distribution associated with individual frontier orbitals were imaged via dI/dV mapping. The symmetry and form of the molecular orbitals could be directly correlated to the saddle-shaped conformational adaptation for the case of Co −TPP.

This thesis details a straightforward synthetic route to the antifungal compound pyrrolnitrin 1.2, along with several analogous halogenated phenylpyrroles. The proposed synthetic protocol involved the Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling of appropriately halogenated pyrrole pinacolboronate esters and aryl compounds. In the efforts towards preparing the cross-coupling partners, we report a regiospecific and high yielding synthesis of a 3-chloro pyrrole compound 2.14, its brominated analog 2.16, an iodinated analog 2.17, and the corresponding pinacolboronate ester 2.18. We also report a generalized reaction sequence (lithiation/carboxylation/Schmidt reaction/oxidation) for the preparation of halogenated benzoic acids, anilines and nitrobenzenes. In particular, we synthesized the desired halogenated nitrobenzene coupling partner 3.27 in excellent yield. We were also able to show that the conditions employed in this sequence were mild enough to allow preparation of the 2-bromo-6-iodo compound 3.33. Once the coupling partners were prepared, we developed the optimal conditions for our Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reactions. In doing so, we were able to prepare our target compound 1.2 and several halogenated analogs in good yields. We also prepared brominated and deuterated arylpyrroles 4.27 and 4.28, respectively, for future use in mechanistic studies of the pyrrolnitrin biosynthetic enzymes, PrnB, Prn C and PrnD. This required preparation of the corresponding brominated and deuterated pyrrole pinacolboronate esters 4.24 and 4.26. / Thesis (Master, Chemistry) -- Queen's University, 2009-09-29 13:58:35.186

The investigation and control of molecular properties is currently a dynamic research field. Here I present molecular level studies of porphyrin molecules adsorbed on metal surfaces via Low Temperature Scanning Tunneling Microscopy/Spectroscopy (STM/STS), supported by complementary X-ray absorption experiments. Intermolecular and molecule-surface interactions of tetrapyrdil porphyrin (TPyP) on Ag(111) and Cu(111) were investigated. TPyP self-assembles on Ag(111) over a wide sample temperature range into large, highly-ordered 2D chiral domains. By contrast, adsorption of TPyP on the more reactive Cu(111) leads to temperature dependent assemblies, governed decisively by the strong substrate influence. The increased metal-surface interactions on Cu(111) are accompanied by a conformational distortion of the porphyrin macrocycle. The TPyP’s pyridil groups were coordinated with single iron molecules, forming metal-organic complexes. Furthermore, the porphyrin’s macrocycle was metalated by exposing a layer of well-ordered TPyP to an iron atom beam, demonstrating a novel approach towards the fabrication of metallo-tetraaryl porphyrins performed in two dimensions under ultrahigh vacuum conditions. This method was similarly used to form lanthanideporphyrinates by coordinating tetraphenyl porphyrin (TPP) macrocycles with cerium. The influence of the metal center on the porphyrins’ electronic structure was investigated via STS for TPP, TPyP,Fe−TPyP, Fe−TPP, Ce−TPP, and Co−TPP, whereby the inhomogenous electron density distribution associated with individual frontier orbitals were imaged via dI/dV mapping. The symmetry and form of the molecular orbitals could be directly correlated to the saddle-shaped conformational adaptation for the case of Co −TPP. / Science, Faculty of / Physics and Astronomy, Department of / Graduate

No description available.

Atualmente, o núcleo imidazo[1,2-a]piridina vem atraindo considerável interesse pois está presente em uma série de moléculas que apresentam potencial para aplicações farmacêuticas. Entre suas características importantes, cabe ressaltar o isosterismo com o indol, um sistema heterocíclico encontrado em muitos alcaloides. Assim, o principal objetivo deste trabalho foi investigar o desenvolvimento de metodologias versáteis que permitissem a rápida preparação de imidazo[1,2-a]piridinas funcionalizadas e que possam ser aplicadas na síntese de moléculas bioativas. No Capítulo 1 deste trabalho, são apresentados e discutidos os resultados obtidos nos estudos sobre a reatividade de bases organometálicas, dentre as quais os novos reagentes mistos de magnésio e de lítio, frente às imidazo[1,2-a]pyridinas. De acordo com as condições reacionais estabelecidas, as bases LiHMDS e TMPMgCl.LiCl demonstraram melhores resultados nos estudos de metalação dirigida, proporcionando a preparação regiosseletiva de novos reagentes organometálicos a partir destes substratos. Além disso, após as reações do intermediários organometálicos com eletrófilos, várias imidazo[1,2-a]piridinas substituídas com diferentes grupos funcionais puderam ser isoladas e caracterizadas. Com o objetivo de demonstrar a importância sintética da metodologia de funcionalização de imidazo[1,2-a]piridinas mediada por LiHDMS, investigou-se sua aplicação em uma nova rota de síntese do alpidem, um importante ansiolítico. Finalmente, no Capitulo 2 deste trabalho, são apresentados e discutidos os resultados de um estudo de Ressonância Magnética Nuclear Dinâmica do 4-formil-aminoantipirina (4-FAA), um dos principais metabólitos da dipirona (metamizol). / Nowadays, the imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine core has attracted considerable interest considering it is present in a series of molecules which have potential for pharmaceutical applications. Among its important properties, it is worth noting the isosterism with indole, a heterocyclic system found in many alkaloids. Thus, the main goal of this work was to investigate the development of versatile methodologies that allow the quickly preparation of functionalized imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines for further applications in the synthesis of bioactive molecules. In Chapter 1 of this work, the results obtained in the studies about the reactivity of organometallic bases against imidazo[1,2-a] pyridines, including new mixed reagents magnesium and lithium, are presented and discussed. According to the established reaction conditions, LiHMDS and TMPMgCl.LiCl bases showed better results in the studies of directed metalation, providing regioselective preparation of new organometallic reagents from these substrates. Moreover, after the reactions of the organometallic intermediate with electrophiles, many imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines substituted with different functional groups were isolated and characterized. In order to demonstrate the synthetic importance of methodology of functionalization imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines mediated by LiHDMS, it application in a new route of synthesis of anxiolytic alpidem was investigated. Finally, in Chapter 2 of this work the results of a study of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Dynamics of 4-formyl-aminoantipyrine (4-FAA), one of the main metabolites of dipyrone (metamizol), are presented and discussed.

Dans ce travail, il est montré que les alkyl/vinyl/aryl lithiens et magnésiens réagissentavec les acides C-1(F/OMe) naphtoïques en l'absence de catalyseur métallique. Cette nouvelleréaction de substitution nucléophile aromatique permet potentiellement de préparer n’importequel biaryle tout en s'affranchissant des étapes de protection et de déprotection de la fonctionacide (CO2H). Les alkyllithiens linéaires et ramifiés réagissent avec la même efficacité que lesalkylmagnésiens même à basse température (–78 °C). Le déplacement d'un fluor ou d'unméthoxy s'effectue avec la même facilité. L'absence d'ortho-lithiation est confirmée par lepiégeage du milieu réactionnel en fin de réaction par l'iodométhane (après addition de n-BuLi,s-BuLi et t-BuLi). Le bromure de vinylmagnésium requiert un chauffage au reflux du THF.La méthode étudiée permet de préparer extrêmement facilement des 1- et 2-phénylnaphtalènes, 1,1’-binaphtalènes et 2,2’-binaphtalènes. Dans les exemples où lesaryllithiens donnent des rendements moyens-faibles en produits de couplage, les réactifs deGrignard sont beaucoup plus efficaces. Le o-tolyllithium, le bromure de o-tolylmagnésium, lebromure de (4-méthoxyphényl)magnésium, le bromure de (2,5-diméthylphényl)magnésium etle bromure de benzo[d][1,3]dioxol-5-ylmagnésium déplacent facilement le groupefluoro/méthoxy en ortho du groupe CO2M pour donner les produits de substitutioncorrespondants alors que la réaction du bromure de (2,6-diméthoxyphényl)magnésium estmoins efficace sans doute en raison de l'encombrement stérique causé par les deux groupesortho-méthoxy. L'acide 1-(2-méthoxyphényl)-2-naphtoïque est un produit particulièrementintéressant. La déprotection du groupe méthoxy suivie d'une cyclisation est réalisée par BBr3pour donner la 6H-naphtho[2,1-c]chromén-6-one qui est isolée avec un rendement de 97 %.Cette lactone est utile pour la préparation de composés atropoisomères optiquement actifsaprès ouverture énantiosélective du cycle lactone selon la technique mise au point parBringmann. / Alkyl as well as aryl substitution can be readily accomplished in generally excellentyields via a nucleophilic mode by displacement of an ortho-fluoro or methoxy group inunprotected naphthoic acids with lithium and Grignard reagents in the absence of a metalcatalyst.Alkyllithium reagents typically gave good-to-excellent yields, whether primary,secondary, or tertiary at –78 °C. Displacement of a fluoro or a methoxy group occurs withequal efficacy. The absence of ortho-lithiation was confirmed by quenching the reactionproduct with MeI after addition of n-BuLi, s-BuLi and t-BuLi. Alkyl Grignard reagentsEtMgBr and n-BuMgBr proved to be very reactive at –78 °C while vinyl magnesium bromiderequired refluxing in THF.The method provides excellent latitude with respect to the synthesis of 1- and 2-phenylnaphthalenes, 1,1’-binaphthalenes, and 2,2’-binaphthalenes. In those instances wherethe aryllithium reagents gave poor yields of coupling products, the corresponding Grignardreagents proved to be much more effective. o-Tolyllithium, o-tolylmagnesium bromide, (4-methoxyphenyl)magnesium bromide, (2,5-dimethylphenyl)magnesium bromide andbenzo[d][1,3]dioxol-5-ylmagnesium bromide smoothly displaced the fluoro/methoxy grouportho to the CO2M group to give the corresponding substitution products while reaction of(2,6-dimethoxyphenyl)magnesium bromide proceeded with less efficiency presumably due tosteric effects imparted by the two ortho-methoxy groups. Particularly useful is 1-(2-methoxyphenyl)-2-naphthoic acid which allows for further elaboration after the coupling isperformed. Deprotection of the methoxy group followed by cyclization was realized withBBr3 to afford 6H-naphtho[2,1-c]chromen-6-one which was isolated in 97% yield. Thislactone is the starting building block for the preparation of optically active atropisomers byenantioselective ring opening.

Cette thèse comporte deux parties indépendantes. La première étude présente les premiers exemples de métallation de la structure azobenzène par les réactifs organométalliques polaires. Largement utilisés en tant que colorants, les azobenzènes trouvent actuellement de nombreuses applications dans le domaine des matériaux en raison de leur facile photoisomerisation E/Z. Il est montré que les bases organométalliques polaires classiques (n-BuLi, n-BuLi/TMEDA, n-BuLi/t-BuOK, TMPMgCl.LiCl, LDA) ne métallent pas l’azobenzène parent mais réduisent plutôt la liaison N=N. Cependant la métallation est possible avec le tétraméthylpipéridure de lithium si un groupement directeur de métallation tel que le méthoxy (OMe), diéthylamide (CONEt2) ou fluoro (F) est présent sur l’azobenzène. La réaction permet un accès original et direct à de nouveaux azobenzènes substitués. L’objectif de la deuxième partie est la synthèse de dérivés biaryliques chiraux en l’absence de métaux de transition (Pd, Ni…). Les biaryles chiraux sont présents dans de nombreuses molécules biologiquement actives et peuvent être utilisés comme ligands pour la catalyse asymétrique. La substitution nucléophile aromatique des acides naphtoïques en présence de ligands chiraux a été étudiée. Une optimisation fine des conditions réactionnelles (choix du solvant, température, structure du ligand…) a permis de préparer des 1,1’-binaphtalènes, 1,2’-binaphtalènes et phénylnaphtalènes avec de bons rendements et excès énantiomériques (jusqu’à 89% ee). La substitution nucléophile aromatique atroposélective de dérivés d’acides naphtoïques de type naphtyloxazolines et naphtoates est également décrite. / This thesis is divided into two independant parts. The first part describes for the first time the chemoselective lithiation of azobenzenes. Azobenzenes derivatives are widely used as dyes and more recently have been applied to the preparation of photoresponsive molecular switches and materials by taking advantage of the N=N bond E/Z photoisomerization. Whereas standard polar organometallics (n-BuLi, n-BuLi/TMEDA, n-BuLi/t-BuOK, TMPMgCl.LiCl, LDA) reduce the N=N bond of the parent compound, aromatic HLi permutation occurs with LTMP when a suitable director of lithiation (OMe, CONEt2, F) is present in the benzene residue of the azo compound. The method allows a direct access to new substituted azobenzenes.Axially chiral biaryls, which are found in many biologically active natural products, are conventionally used as ligands for asymmetric catalysis. The purpose of the second part is to develop a new method for the preparation of axially chiral biaryls in the absence of transition metals (Pd, Ni…). To tackle that goal, nucleophilic aromatic substitution reactions on unprotected naphthoic acids were performed in the presence of chiral ligands. A careful optimization of the reaction parameters (choice of the solvent, temperature, structure of the ligand…) allowed to prepare chiral 1,1’- binaphthalenes 1,2’- binaphthalenes and phenylnaphthalenes in good yields and enantiomeric excesses (up to 89% ee). The atroposelective SNAr reaction of naphthyloxazoline and naphthoate derivatives was also reported.

Le travail décrit dans ce mémoire concerne l'étude de la métallation régiosélective de deux bicycles fusionnés complexes : les furo[3,2-b]- et [2,3-c]pyridines. L'influence de la nature du système basique sur le cours de la réaction et sur la régiosélectivité de la lithiation a été étudiée avec différentes bases : n-BuLi, LTMP, LDA et [n-BuLi/LiDMAE]. D'un point de vue fondamental, cette étude nous a permis d'établir quelques règles pour la fonctionnalisation des hétérocycles complexes, ce qui nous a conduit à l'obtention efficace et rapide d'une vaste chimiothèque de furo[3,2-b]- et [2,3-c]pyridines polyfonctionnalisés et refonctionnalisables. Quelques composés préparés ont ainsi été mis en jeu dans des réactions de couplage catalysées par les métaux de transition (Pd, Ni). Les difficultés rencontrées au cours de ce travail nous ont permises de mettre en évidence une séquence de double fonctionnalisation des hétérocycles ?-déficients par une séquence "one-pot" combinant le piégeage d'un intermédiaire lithié par un électrophile et l'addition nucléophile d'une espèce réactive générée in-situ. Le développement de cette séquence nous a conduits à l'obtention directe de pyrazines, pyridines et furo[3,2-b]pyridines disubstituées / The work described in this PhD thesis concerns a regioselective metalation study of two fused heterocycles : the furo[3,2-b]- et [2,3-c]pyridines. The influence of the lithiated agent on the reaction course and on the selectivity of the lithiation has been studied with several bases : n-BuLi, LTMP, LDA and [n-BuLi/LiDMAE]. From a fundamental point of view, this study allowed us to establish some rules concerning the functionalisation of fused heterocycles, and then, a chemical library of polyfunctionalised furo[3,2-b]- and [2,3-c]pyridines has been designed. Some of the compounds obtained in this way were engaged in metallo-catalysed coupling reactions. The difficulties we met during this work allowed us to discover a double functionalisation sequence of ?-deficient heterocycles via a cascade process combining the trapping of lithiated intermediates and the nucleophilic addition of some in-situ released species. The development of this sequence afforded direct access to difunctionalised pyrazines, pyridines and furo[3,2-b]pyridines

Die vorliegende Arbeit beschäftigt sich mit der Oxygenierung von ungesättigten Kohlenwasserstoffen durch Übergansmetalle und katalytischer Oxidation von Olefinen und Aliphaten. Sie ist in die folgenden drei Teile gegliedert: 1. Matrixisolationsstudien zum System MnO3Cl/Allen: Das System Permanganylchlorid/Allen wurde in einer Argonmatrix durch Photolyse (546 nm) zu Reaktion gebracht. Die entstandenen Komplexe (O=)2MnCl(O=CCH2CH2) 37R und (O=)2MnCl(H2COCCH2) 38R wurden mit Hilfe der IR-Spektroskopie, Isotopenmarkierungs-Experimenten (18O, D) und DFT-Rechnungen (B3LYP/LANL2DZ) zweifelsfrei identifiziert und der Reaktionsmechanismus Hilfe von mit weiteren DFT-Rechnungen (B3LYP/6-311Gd) aufgeklärt. 2. Synthese eines neuen dinuklearen Vanadium-Silsesquioxan-Komplexes Silika geträgerte Vanadium-Komplexe sind vor allem als Katalysatoren für die Oxidation von Kohelnwasserstoffen interessant. Man geht davon aus, dass vor allem die tetraedrisch koordinierten VO4-Spezies für die katalytische Aktivität bzw. Selektivität verantwortlich sind. Da nur eine Vanada-Silsesquioxan-Modellverbindung bekannt war, wurden Versuche unternommen weitere zu synthetisieren. Es konnte eine neue Verbindung erhalten werden, die vollständig charakterisiert wurde und auf ihre katalytische Aktivität getestet wurde. 3. Quantenmechanische Rechnungen zur Lösung ausgewählter Fragestellungen des Systems Mo/Bi Mit Hilfe von DFT-Rechnungen wurden verschiedene Mo-Bi-Verbindungen, die im Rahmen der mechanistischen Aufklärung des SOHIO-Verfahrens durch Synthese von Modellverbindungen erhalten wurden, auf ihre besondere Bindungssituation hin untersucht. Dazu wurden unter anderem die Bader sowie die NBO-Analyse verwendet. / Submitted thesis deals with the oxygenation of unsaturated hydrocarbons by transition metals and catalytic oxidations of olefins and aliphats. It is divided into the following three parts: 1. Matrixisolationstudies of the system MnO3Cl/allene: The light-induced (546 nm) reaction of MnO3Cl with allene has been investigated in low-temperature argon matrices at 11 K. IR spectroscopic studies in combination with isotopic enrichment experiments (18O, D) and DFT calculations (B3LYP/LANL2DZ) allowed the identification of (O=)2MnCl(O=CCH2CH2), 37R, and (O=)2MnCl(H2COCCH2), 38R as products. First of all, possible ways for their formation are discussed qualitatively in the context of the literature available, and then quantitatively with the background of DFT data (B3LYP/6-311G(d)) obtained for starting materials, products, transition states and intermediates. Based on the results a reaction mechanism was proposed. 2. Synthesis of a novel dinuclear vanadium-silsesquioxane-complex Silica-supported vanadium complexes have attracted the interest as catalyst for the oxidation of hydrocarbons. Especially tetrahedrally coordinated VO4-Spezies are supposed as active/selective sites. To investigate the chemical behaviour and –properties of such species, Feher et al. synthesized a vanadium-silsesquioxane-complex in 1991 since silsesquioxanes are known to be excellent structural models for the silica surface. The synthesis and catalytic activity of a new complex, that was successfully synthesised, is reported here. 3. Quantum mechanical calculations for solving selected problems at Mo/Bi-systems. During the investigation of the reaction mechanism of the SOHIO-process some very unusual Mo-Bi-complexes could be isolated in the workgroup of Prof. Dr. Ch. Limberg. The bonding situation of four special complexes was analysed by means of calculations based of density functional theory (DFT) in combination with natural bond orbital analysis (NBO) respectively Bader-theory. 1

Dans le cadre d’un projet général concernant l’étude de la réactivité des acidesbenzoïques non protégés avec les organométalliques, la synthèse totale d’analoguesstructuraux de l’apogossypol mettant en jeu des réactions de métallation aromatique a étéétudiée ainsi que la réaction de substitution nucléophile aromatique des acides benzoïquesortho-fluorés et ortho-méthoxylés.Le gossypol, (1,1’,6,6’,7,7’-hexahydroxy-5,5’-di-iso-propyl-3,3’-diméthyl-2,2’-binaphtalène-8,8’-dicarboxaldéhyde), pigment principal des graines du cotonnier, existe sousla forme de deux atropoisomères et possède de multiples applications pharmaceutiques. Il estnotamment un inhibiteur efficace des protéines anti-apoptotiques de la famille Bcl-2. Legossypol déformylé ou apogossypol présente des propriétés similaires mais est plus stable,plus sélectif et moins toxique. Une méthode permettant de remplacer les groupes iso-propylesdu gossypol par des groupes structurellement proches a été mise au point. La stratégie retenuemet à profit les compétences du laboratoire dans le domaine des réactions de métallation etrepose sur la lithiation latérale de l’acide 4-hydroxy-6,7-diméthoxy-8-méthyl-2-naphtoïquepar le tétraméthylpipéridure de lithium. Divers dérivés 5,5’-didés-iso-propyl-5,5’-dialkylapogossypol racémiques ont été préparés selon cette méthode. La synthèse asymétriqued’analogues de l’apogossypol a également été étudiée et la voie de synthèse sélectionnéerepose sur le « concept lactone ». Un intermédiaire avancé de la synthèse, une lactonefonctionnalisée potentiellement réductible de façon asymétrique, a été préparée.La deuxième partie est consacrée à l’étude de la réaction de substitution nucléophilearomatique des acides benzoïques ortho-fluorés et ortho-méthoxylés (réaction SNArAB). Unerevue de la littérature des réactions de substitution nucléophile aromatique activée par lesesters est présentée. L’influence de substituants méthoxylés et halogénés (F, Cl, Br) sur lasélectivité SNAr/addition 1,2 a été évaluée. Il est montré que les acides 2-fluoro-6-halogénobenzoïques conduisent, par réaction avec les aryllithiens et les arylmagnésiens, auxproduits d’ipso-C2-substitution avec un excellent rendement et la réaction SNArAB permet unaccès efficace aux acides 3-halogéno-[1,1’-biphényl]-2-carboxyliques. Dans le cas de l’acide2,3-diméthoxybenzoïque, il a été découvert que la présence d’un substituant méthoxy enposition 3 permet de limiter la formation de cétone et le produit d’ipso-substitution est isoléavec un rendement correct. / As part of a program directed toward the study of the reactivity of unprotected benzoicacids with polar organometallics, the total racemic synthesis of apogossypol analogues bymetalation reactions was studied as well as the aromatic nucleophilic substitution reaction ofortho-fluoro- and ortho-methoxybenzoic acids (SNArAB reaction).Gossypol (1,1’,6,6’,7,7’-hexahydroxy-5,5’-di-iso-propyl-3,3’-diméthyl-2,2’-binaphtalène-8,8’-dicarboxaldéhyde) which is the main pigment of cotton seed, displaysmultiple pharmacological applications. It is a potent anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein inhibitor.The racemic route developed herein allows the replacement of the iso-propyl groups byvirtually any alkyl groups, providing a series of 5,5’-dides-iso-propyl-5,5’-dialkylapogossypolderivatives. Lateral metalation of 4-hydroxy-6,7-dimethoxy-8-methyl-2-naphthoic acid withLTMP is the key step of the synthesis. Atroposelective synthesis of apogossypol analoguewas also examined. The strategy relies on the “lactone concept” and involves a functionalizedlactone as a key intermediateThe influence of halogen atoms (F, Cl, Br) and methoxy groups on the 1,2-addition/SNArAB selectivity was examined. Treatment of 2-fluoro-6-halobenzoic acids withorganolithiums or Grignard reagents gives ipso-substituted products in excellent yields. Themethod allows the efficient preparation of 3-halo-[1,1’-biphenyl]-2-carboxylic acids and doesnot require protection of the carboxylate. Interestingly, the presence of an additional methoxyin C3 reduces the nucleophilic addition of the organometallic species to the carboxylate and2,3-dimethoxybenzoic acid affords ipso-substituted products in good yields.