Benzyl potassium

Chemical compound From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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.

Quick facts Names, Identifiers ...
Benzyl potassium
Names
Other names
Potassium benzyl
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChemSpider
  • InChI=1S/C7H7.K/c1-7-5-3-2-4-6-7;/h2-6H,1H2;
    Key: OQLLVOGBAKFMIS-UHFFFAOYSA-N
  • InChI=1/C7H7.K/c1-7-5-3-2-4-6-7;/h2-6H,1H2;/rC7H7K/c8-6-7-4-2-1-3-5-7/h1-5H,6H2
    Key: OQLLVOGBAKFMIS-QPGMTJJQAI
  • [K]Cc1ccccc1
Properties
C7H7K
Molar mass 130.231 g·mol−1
Appearance Orange solid
Hazards
Occupational safety and health (OHS/OSH):
Main hazards
 Ignites in air
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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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]

The structure of the related diphenylmethane derivative has been confirmed by X-ray crystallography.[3]

References

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