Abstract: The directed ortho-lithiation of lithium thiophenolate by reaction with n-butyllithium in cyclohexane with N, N,-N', N'-tetramethylethylenediamine gives almost quantitative conversion to lithium 2-lithiobenzenethiolate (1). Reactions of this dilithio derivative with a variety of electrophiles (DzO, carbon dioxide, acetone, diphenyl disulfide, methyl iodide, and thioxanthone) are described. The adduct to thioxanthone is ring-closed to form a ...