The metalation of 4-t-butyldiphenyl sulfone by n-butyllithium results in introduction of the lithium atom in the positions ortho to the sulfone group, 69% of the metalation occurring in the unsubstituted ring and 317, in the ring containing the &butyl group. This orientation is due to the deactivating influence toward metalation exerted by the t-butyl group through its inductive effect.
