Disclosed are methods of producing di-, tri- or tetrabenzyl-metal compounds comprising combining a metal salt with a (benzyl)nMgX2-n compound at from less than 30° C., wherein n is 1 or 2 and X is a monoanionic group; wherein the combining takes place in a diluent mixture comprising from 0 to 80% by volume of an ether diluent and a diluent selected from the group consisting of aromatic diluents, halogenated hydrocarbon diluents, and mixtures thereof. The methods are characterized by employing various mixtures of diluents, and in some cases, minimal to no ether diluent.