Generation and Trapping of Functionalized Aryl‐ and Heteroarylmagnesium and ‐Zinc Compounds

Zinc and magnesium organometallic reagents are intimately linked with the development of synthetic organic chemistry. They play a fundamental role in a vast variety of synthetic transformations used in research laboratories as well as in the chemical industry. This chapter covers the most important preparative methods for the generation of functionalized aryl‐ and heteroarylmagnesium and ‐zinc organometallic reagents. These methods, including metal insertions, halogen/metal exchanges, transmetalations and directed metalations, are discussed in detail. Typical reactions with electrophilic reagents, such as addition, substitution, and cross‐coupling reactions are presented. An additional section is dedicated to the generation and use of zinc and magnesium organometallics in continuous‐flow.