title: Insights into the metalation of benzene and toluene by Schlosser's base: a superbasic cluster comprising PhK, PhLi, and tBuOLi.
abstract: The metalation of benzene by Schlosser's base (nBuLi/tBuOK) occurs smoothly in THF at low temperatures to afford a discrete mixed-metal Li2 K4 cluster that contains phenyl anions and tert-butoxide. The aggregate itself exhibits superbasic behavior by metalating toluene. The delocalized benzyl anion obtained this way π bonds to potassium counterions, thereby creating a 2D coordination polymer.
authors.affiliation: Anorganische Chemie, Technische Universität Dortmund, Otto-Hahn-Strasse 6, 44227 Dortmund (Germany).
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Unkelbach
authors.forename: Donal F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: O'Shea
authors.forename: Carsten
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Strohmann
mesh_terms: D001554:Benzene / Q000737:chemistry*; D005663:Furans / Q000737:chemistry; D008094:Lithium / Q000737:chemistry*; D008958:Models, Molecular; D015394:Molecular Structure; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry; D011188:Potassium / Q000737:chemistry*; D014050:Toluene / Q000737:chemistry*; D020002:tert-Butyl Alcohol / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D005663:Furans; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D014050:Toluene; C018674:tetrahydrofuran; D008094:Lithium; D001554:Benzene; D020002:tert-Butyl Alcohol; D011188:Potassium
keywords: alkali metals; carbanions; heterometallic complexes; superbase metalation