Process for the in situ activation of zinc metal

Abstract

A non-carcinogenic process for the activation of zinc metal in a medium polarity solvent, wherein said zinc metal is activated by the reaction thereof with a halogen and a lithium compound selected from lithium halides and lithium pseudohalides, the use of said activated zinc metal for the preparation of an organozinc halide of formula R—ZnX, and a process for the preparation of compounds obtainable by the reaction of said organozinc halide of formula R—ZnX with compounds having functionality enabling them to react with said organozinc halide.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.