cyclohexane analogue 2b treated with MeLi underwent a smooth rearrangement to bicyclo[1.1.0]butane 11b at −78, −10, or +35 °C. Treatment of 2a with PhLi gave the α-Ph anion 13 as the only product, which underwent smooth methylation with MeI to give 14. Under the same conditions, 2b with PhLi gave bicyclo[1.1.0]butane 11b accompanied by bromophenylderivative 8b. Treatment of either dibromide with t-BuLi gave