The α-lithiobenzyloxy group, easily generated from aryl benzyl ethers by selective α-lithiation with t-BuLi at low temperature, behaves as a directed metalation group (DMG) providing a direct access to o-lithiophenyl α-lithiobenzyl ethers. This ortho-directing effect is reinforced in substrates bearing an additional methoxy group at the meta position. The generated dianions can be reacted with a selection of electrophiles including carboxylic esters and dihalosilanes or germanes, which afford interesting benzofuran, sila(germa)dihydrobenzofuran, and silachroman derivatives from simple aryl benzyl ethers.
