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Benzyl potassium

Chemical compound From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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Benzylpotassium is an organopotassium compound with the formula C6H5CH2K, 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 by 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]

Applications

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.[citation needed]

References

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