Etüülliitiumit

Etüülliitiumit, also known as ethyllithium, is an organometallic compound with the chemical formula C2H5Li. It is a highly reactive substance and is primarily used as a reagent in organic synthesis. Ethyllithium is a strong base and a nucleophile, making it useful for a variety of chemical transformations. It is typically prepared by the reaction of ethyl halide, such as ethyl bromide or ethyl chloride, with lithium metal in an ethereal solvent like diethyl ether or tetrahydrofuran. The reaction is usually carried out under an inert atmosphere due to the air and moisture sensitivity of organolithium compounds.

Ethyllithium is a colorless liquid or low-melting solid, depending on its purity and the presence of solvent. It is soluble in hydrocarbons and ethers. Its high reactivity means it must be handled with care, typically in a glovebox or under a Schlenk line. Common applications of ethyllithium in organic chemistry include deprotonation reactions, metallation, and acting as a nucleophile in addition reactions to carbonyl compounds and other electrophiles. It is a valuable tool for chemists seeking to create new carbon-carbon bonds and introduce ethyl groups into organic molecules.