Regiochemical Control in the Reductive Cleavage of 2-Alkylated Oxetanes by Use of Trialkylaluminums. Tertiary Organolithiums with γ-Oxy Functionality

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/jo00020a011

Whereas 2,2-dialkylated oxetanes are cleaved by lithium 4,4'-di-tert-butylbiphenylide to provide the primary organolithium-tertiary oxyanions, the same reaction in the presence of trialkylaluminums gives exclusively the 3-lithio-3,3-disubstituted propoxides, which are trapped by carbonyl compounds in moderate yields.