A series of 2,5-bis(diarylmethylene)-2,5-dihydrothiophenes and their furan, selenophene, and N-methylpyrrole analogs were synthesized in three steps either starting from 2,5-dilithiated five-membered heteroaromatics and 2 equiv of diaryl ketones or from 2,5-diaroyl five-membered heteroaromatics and 2 equiv of aryllithiums.
New optically active aminoalcohols have been prepared from CeCl3-activated (+)-camphor and (−)-fenchone and N-functionalized organolithium compounds. The aminoalcohols obtained catalyze the addition of diethylzinc to benzaldehyde in high yields and enantioselectivities up to 64%.