The reaction of primary alkyl or vinyl phenylethers (1) as well as 2,3-dihydrobenzofuran (3) with an excess of lithium powder and a catalytic amount of DTBB (5 %) in THF at room temperature leads to the corresponding organolithium intermediates, which by treatment with different electrophiles [H2O, D2O, Me3SiCl, ButCHO, PhCHO, Me2CO, Et2CO, (CH2)4CO, PCH2)5CO, PhCOMe] and final hydrolysis affords