A Short and Convenient Synthesis of 5-Alkyl Substituted 8-Hydroxyquinolines

5-Chloro-8-methoxyquinoline undergoes rapid and reversible lithium-halogen exchange reaction with alkyllithiums to yield 5-alkyl substituted derivatives indirectly, whereas the reaction with phenyllithium is slower and 5-alkyl substituted compounds are formed by the direct addition of alkyl halides.