Benzyl_potassium

Benzyl potassium

Benzyl potassium

Chemical compound

Benzylpotassium is an organopotassium compound with the formula C6H5CH2K. It is an orange powder. Like organo-alkali metal reagents in general, benzyl potassium is highly reactive, so much so that it reacts with most solvents. It is highly air sensitive.

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Synthesis

One early synthesis proceeds by two-step transmetallation reaction via p-tolylpotassium:[1]

(CH3C6H4)2Hg + 2 K → 2 CH3C6H4K + Hg
CH3C6H4K → KCH2C6H5

A modern synthesis involves the reaction of butyllithium, potassium tert-butoxide, and toluene.[2] Although potassium hydride can also be used as a strong base for preparing potassium salts, benzyl potassium has the advantage of being molecular and hence more fast-acting.

References

  1. [1]
    Gilman, Henry; Pacevitz, Henry A; Baine, Ogden (1940). "Benzylalkali Compounds1". Journal of the American Chemical Society. 62 (6): 1514. doi:10.1021/ja01863a054.
  2. [2]
    Lochmann, L; Trekoval, J (1987). "Lithium-potassium exchange in alkyllithium/potassium t-pentoxide systems". Journal of Organometallic Chemistry. 326: 1. doi:10.1016/0022-328X(87)80117-1.
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