Lithium-halogen exchange intramolecular cyclization

This reaction was initially developed by Parham in 1975 and extended primarily by Bradsher after Parham s death in 1976. It is the synthesis of aryl or heteroaryl ring fused carbocylces or heterocycles through the intramolecular reaction between a side chain electrophile and an aryl or heteroaryllithium generated from lithium-halogen exchange. Therefore, this reaction is generally known as the Parham cyclization. Occasionally, it is also referred to as the Parham reaction. J This reaction is very useful for the synthesis of alkaloids. ... 

The very fast metal-halogen exchange allows intramolecular cyclization reactions, which are known as Parham cyclizations171. The potential of Parham cyclizations as a useful stereoselective cyclization procedure has proven to be extremely interesting172. Thus, it has been recently demonstrated that iodinated IV-phenethylimides tolerate iodine-lithium exchange, giving rise to the isoquinoline nucleus 304, via a Parham-... 

The Parham cyclization is the generation by halogen-lithium exchange of aryllith-iums and heteroaryllithiums, and their subsequent intramolecular cyclization onto an electrophilic site. 

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