NMR studies of dilithiostyrenes: aggregation, NMR parameters, and DFT calculations for (E)-1-Lithio-2-(o-lithiophenyl)-1-trimethylsilylethene.

The dilithio compound (E)-1-lithio-2-(o-lithiophenyl)-1-trimethylsilylethene (5) was synthesized from 2-trimethylsilylbenzo-[b]tellurophene (6) with lithium-6 and a detailed analysis of its 1 H, 6 Li, 13 C, and 29 Si NMR spectra showed 5 to form a dimer 52 in tetrahydrofuran and diethylether, while addition of tetramethylethylenediamine stabilizes a monomer 51 . A monomer-dimer equilibrium exists with K at 230 K = 1.25 and ΔG230o = -0.43 kJ mol-1 . Homonuclear 6 Li,6 Li coupling of 0.25 ± 0.07 Hz in the dimer was detected by a 1D-6 Li,6 Li INADEQUATE experiment, and scalar 6 Li,13 C coupling constants were obtained from 13 C satellites in the 6 Li spectrum, from 13 C multiplet simulation and 6 Li,13 C-HMQC spectra. In addition, structures and coupling constants of 51 and 52 were calculated by density functional theory (DFT) methods. It was found that the magnitude of the 6 Li,13 C spin-spin interactions shows an inverse correlation with the C-Li bond lengths. The intra-aggregate exchange in the dimer, caused by 180° rotation of one monomer unit within the solvent cage, was studied by 6 Li DNMR and line shape analysis and yielded ΔG298≠ = 60 ± 3 kJ mol-1 ; ΔH≠ = 84 ± 3 kJ mol-1 ; ΔS≠ = 80 ± 3 J mol-1 K-1 for this process. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Formation of radical anions and not deprotonation starts the reaction of gamma-butyrolactone with potassium anions.

A mechanism is proposed for the reaction of gamma-butyrolactone with the potassium anion as a two-electron-transfer reagent. Potassium hydride and potassium 4-potassiobutyrate are formed in this process as intermediates. These compounds deprotonate gamma-butyrolactone. Potassium lactone enolate, potassium butyrate, and hydrogen are the final reaction products.

Preparation and decomposition of potassium alkalide-lipophilic crown ether complexes in tetrahydrofuran.

Cyclohexano-15-crown-5, cyclohexano-18-crown-6, dicyclohexano-15-crown-5, and dicyclohexano-18-crown-6, but not dicylohexano-16-crown-5, in THF dissolve potassium metal to form dark blue potassium alkalide solutions at ambient temperature. On standing, the potassium alkalide complexes decompose and the solutions turn colorless at differing rates. Identification of the products provides insight into the decomposition mechanism.

Mechanism of Reduction of Diphenylacetylene by Metallic Lithium.

A zero-order reaction converts cis-dilithiostilbene (1), formed upon reduction of diphenylacetylene by lithium, into the trans isomer 2. The cis-monolithiated adduct acts as a catalyst.