Methyllithium

<p>Methyllithium is the simplest <a href="/facts/Organolithium_reagent/xgYnjhP3">organolithium reagent</a>, with the empirical formula LiCH3. This <a href="/facts/S-block/BbzD5jUU">s-block</a> <a href="/facts/Organometallic/bhqFz2P0">organometallic</a> compound adopts an <a href="/facts/Oligomer/v7oDY8zu">oligomeric</a> structure both in solution and in the solid state. This highly reactive compound, invariably used in solution with an <a href="/facts/Ether/jwDg0IKr">ether</a> as the solvent, is a <a href="/facts/Reagent/c3GLInCu">reagent</a> in <a href="/facts/Organic_synthesis/aprl6Iq7">organic synthesis</a> as well as <a href="/facts/Organometallic_chemistry/bhqFz2P0">organometallic chemistry</a>. Operations involving methyllithium require anhydrous conditions, because the compound is highly reactive towards <a href="/facts/Water/0lkXnJPK">water</a>. <a href="/facts/Oxygen/acyn6o8r">Oxygen</a> and <a href="/facts/Carbon_dioxide/xGzpppEp">carbon dioxide</a> are also incompatible with MeLi. Methyllithium is usually not prepared, but purchased as a solution in various ethers.
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Methyllithium open-in-new

Methyllithium