KOtBu
Potassium tert-butoxide (KOtBu) is a strong, bulky organic base used widely in organic synthesis. Its formula is C4H9KO, and its systematic IUPAC name is potassium 2-methylpropan-2-olate. It is a white solid that is highly hygroscopic and air-sensitive, typically handled under an inert atmosphere. The molar mass is about 112.2 g/mol. It is often supplied as a solution in THF or as a dry solid in sealed containers.
KOtBu is a non-nucleophilic base: the bulky tert-butoxide group hinders nucleophilic attack, so deprotonation is favored
Handling and safety: KOtBu reacts with moisture and carbon dioxide in air, forming tert-butanol and related
Applications: KOtBu is often employed in THF or DME as a robust base for deprotonation steps in