Abstract Para-substituted benzene compounds, p-XC 6 H 4 X′(X CF 3 C (O) and X′ CH 3, CO 2 H, C (O) CF 3, C (O) CH 3, C (O) H and SH) have been prepared via sequential metal-halogen exchange reactions between p-BrC 6 H 4 Br and nC 4 H 9 Li and the appropriate electrophiles. Low reaction temperature is critical to stabilization of the various intermediates. The CF 3 group has a pronounced effect on providing stability to the lithium ...