Abstract The ortho, N-dilithiated derivative of the tosylhydrazone of benzophenone (5) has been generated by metal-halogen exchange at low temperature. A range of alkylation, silylation and acylation reactions are described together with further reactions leading to 1, 2- diacylbenzenes, phthalazines, 1, 3-diphenyl-isobenzofuran, and a 1, 2, 3-diazaborine.
