organolithné

Organolithium compounds are chemical compounds that contain a carbon-lithium bond. This carbon-lithium bond is highly polar, with the carbon atom carrying a partial negative charge and the lithium atom carrying a partial positive charge. This polarity makes organolithium reagents very strong bases and powerful nucleophiles, which are highly reactive in organic synthesis. They are frequently used in reactions such as nucleophilic addition to carbonyl compounds, alkylation of electrophiles, and deprotonation reactions.

The preparation of organolithium compounds typically involves the reaction of an organohalide with lithium metal, or through a halogen-metal exchange reaction. Common examples include methyllithium (CH3Li), butyllithium (BuLi), and phenyllithium (PhLi). Due to their high reactivity, organolithium compounds are often prepared and used in situ, meaning they are generated and immediately reacted without isolation. They are sensitive to air and moisture, requiring handling under inert atmosphere conditions, such as nitrogen or argon, and in anhydrous solvents like diethyl ether or tetrahydrofuran. Their wide range of applications makes them indispensable tools in the synthesis of complex organic molecules in both academic research and industrial processes.