Preparation and reactions of an alkylzinc enolate

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/om00153a006

The preparation, characterization, and reactivity of ethylzinc enolate 3 are reported. Enolate 3 is less reactive than the corresponding lithium enolate but undergoes many of the same reactions. The unprecedented protonation of 3 by secondary amines is reported. The metal exchange reaction used to prepare 3 is not a general method for the preparation of other alkylzinc enolates.