Lithiated imines: solvent-dependent aggregate structures and mechanisms of alkylation

J Am Chem Soc. 2006 May 3;128(17):5939-48. doi: 10.1021/ja060363k.

Abstract

We describe efforts to understand the structure and reactivity of lithiated cyclohexanone N-cyclohexylimine. The lithioimine affords complex solvent-dependent distributions of monomers, dimers, and trimers in a number of ethereal solvents. Careful selection of solvent provides exclusively monosolvated dimers. Rate studies on the C-alkylations reveal chronic mixtures of monomer- and dimer-based pathways. We explore the factors influencing reactants and alkylation transition structures and the marked differences between lithioimines and isostructural lithium dialkylamides with the aid of density functional theory calculations.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alkylation
  • Dimerization
  • Imines / chemistry*
  • Kinetics
  • Lithium / chemistry*
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Molecular Structure

Substances

  • Imines
  • Lithium