Abstract: | 2-Bromo-3-iodo- and 3-bromo-2-chlorothiophene react with magnesium in the presence of 1,2-dibrornoethane to give 2-halo-3-thiophene magnesium halide which opens a useful route to 2,3-disubstituted thiophenes having an electron-withdrawing group in the 3-position. |