text: Ortho lithiation can be used to generate many of the same structures as lateral lithiation; however, reactivity differences between aryl- and benzyllithium species may suggest the use of one method over the other. A useful alternative method for stereoselective functionalization of the benzylic position involves the use of chromium arene complexes. Substitution at the benzylic position is much better tolerated in methods that employ benzylic lithiation of chromium arene complexes than lateral lithiations; however, the chromium byproducts of these reactions pose waste disposal difficulties. The use of mixed zinc/copper organometallic reagents generated from benzyl bromides represents a second alternative to lateral lithiation. The functional group compatibility of this method is greater than lateral lithiation, but more steps are required to generate the reactive organometallic species from an unfunctionalized benzylic position.