Abstract A series of chloro-and bromopyridines have been deprotometalated by using a range of 2, 2, 6, 6-tetramethylpiperidino-based mixed lithium–metal combinations. Whereas lithium–zinc and lithium–cadmium bases afforded different mono-and diiodides after subsequent interception with iodine, complete regioselectivities were observed with the corresponding lithium–copper combination, as demonstrated by subsequent trapping with ...