Lithium tert-butoxide is a chemical compound with the formula LiOC(CH3)3. It is an organolithium compound consisting of a lithium atom bonded to a tert-butoxy (t-butoxy) group, which is a functional group derived from tert-butanol. The tert-butoxide group consists of a central carbon atom bonded to three methyl (CH3) groups and an oxygen atom.
Lithium tert-butoxide is a strong base and a powerful nucleophile, meaning it readily donates electrons and reacts with electrophiles. It is commonly used in organic synthesis, particularly in reactions involving deprotonation and condensation reactions. It can be used as a base to remove a proton from an acidic hydrogen atom, allowing for the formation of carbon-carbon or carbon-heteroatom bonds.
The compound is typically a white or off-white solid and is highly reactive. It should be handled with caution due to its reactivity and sensitivity to moisture and air. Lithium tert-butoxide is usually prepared by reacting lithium metal with tert-butanol in an anhydrous solvent, such as tetrahydrofuran (THF).