Regioselective formylation of 1,3-disubstituted benzenes through in situ lithiation

A facile method of regioselective formylation of disubstituted benzene via in situ deprotonation/metalation using n-BuLi/TMEDA/DIPA has been developed. Effect of different electron withdrawing and electron donating substituents in 1,3-interrelated aromatic system was studied; the metalation mostly occurred at the 2-position to afford the desired products in high yields.