Sekbutüülliitium

Sekbutüülliitium is an organolithium compound with the chemical formula C4H9Li. It is an isomer of butyllithium, meaning it has the same atoms but arranged differently. Specifically, the lithium atom is bonded to a secondary carbon atom in the butyl chain. It is a highly reactive and flammable substance, typically encountered as a solution in hydrocarbon solvents like hexane or cyclohexane.

This compound serves as a strong base and a nucleophile in organic synthesis. Its primary applications include deprotonation of weakly acidic protons, metal-halogen exchange reactions, and as an initiator for anionic polymerization. Due to its reactivity, sekbutüülliitium must be handled under inert atmosphere conditions, such as nitrogen or argon, to prevent decomposition by moisture and oxygen. It is a commercially available reagent, though its use is generally restricted to trained chemists in controlled laboratory environments. The specific reactivity and regioselectivity of sekbutüülliitium can differ from its isomeric counterparts, making it a valuable tool for specific synthetic transformations.