STRUCTURES OF CLASSICAL REAGENTS IN CHEMICAL SYNTHESIS - (NBULI)6, (TBULI)4, AND THE METASTABLE (TBULI.ET2O)2

Crystalline nBuLi is also hexameric; this same degree of oligomerization was determined years ago in solutions of hydrocarbons. Six Li atoms form a distorted octahedron, six of whose triangular faces are capped by nBu groups (see structure depicted). The unusual arrangement of the β‐C atoms indicates interactions with the Li atoms. In contrast, tBuLi forms a Td‐symmetric tetramer in the solid state. (Figure Presented.) Copyright © 1993 by VCH Verlagsgesellschaft mbH, Germany