Direct Transformation of Trialkyl Phosphates into Organolithium Compounds by a DTBB-Catalysed Lithiation

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4020(01)85573-3

The reaction of different alkylic or phenylic phosphates 1 with an excess of lithium powder and a catalytic amount of DTBB (5 mol percent) in the presence of an electrophile -Barbier-type reaction conditions- in THF at -30 deg C leads to the formation of the expected products 2, resulting from the reaction of the in situ generated organolithium compound with the corresponding electrophile.