Investigation of 2,3'-Biquinolyl. 10. The Regioselectivity of the Reaction of 2,3'-Biquinolyl and 1'-Alkyl-3-(2-quinolyl)quinolinium Halides with Halo Derivatives in the Presence of Metallic Lithium and Magnesium

2,3'-Biquinolyl reacts with halo derivatives in the presence of metallic lithium to give addition products at position 4', treatment of which with water gives 4'-R-1',4'-dihydro-2,3'-biquinolyls and with halo derivatives gives 1'-alkyl-4'-R-1',4'-dihydro-2,3'-biquinolyls. The reaction of 2,3'-biquinolyl with halo derivatives in the presence of metallic magnesium gives a mixture of products of addition at positions 2' and 4'. 1-Alkyl-3-(2-quinolyl)quinolinium halides and halo derivatives with metallic magnesium give 1'-alkyl-2'-R-1',2'-dihydro-2,3'-biquinolyls but form a complex mixture of substances when metallic lithium is used.