Lithium tert-butoxide Chemical Properties

Melting point:

°C

Boiling point:

68-70 °C

Density 

0.89 g/mL at 20 °C

Flash point:

−2 °F

storage temp. 

2-8°C

solubility 

Soluble in toluene, hexane, tetrahydrofuran and methyl tert-butyl ether.

form 

liquid

color 

brown

Specific Gravity

0.89

Water Solubility 

vigorous reaction

Sensitive 

Moisture Sensitive

Hydrolytic Sensitivity

7: reacts slowly with moisture/water

BRN 

3620018

InChIKey

LZWQNOHZMQIFBX-UHFFFAOYSA-N

CAS DataBase Reference

1907-33-1(CAS DataBase Reference)

EPA Substance Registry System

Lithium tert-butoxide (1907-33-1)

Safety Information

Hazard Codes 

F,C,N,T

Risk Statements 

11-19-34-37-35-14-67-65-62-51/53-48/20-40-52/53-36/37/38-25

Safety Statements 

26-36/37/39-45-61-62-6A-43E-16-7/8-43-33

RIDADR 

UN 3206 4.2/PG 2

WGK Germany 

3

RTECS 

UB8520000

F 

3-10

TSCA 

Yes

HazardClass 

4.2

PackingGroup 

III

HS Code 

29051990

MSDS

• Language:English Provider:Lithium 2-methylpropan-2-olate
• Language:English Provider:ACROS
• Language:English Provider:SigmaAldrich
• Language:English Provider:ALFA

Lithium tert-butoxide Usage And Synthesis

Chemical Properties

Lithium tert-Butoxide [1907-33-1], LiOC (CH3)3, Mr 80.06, r 0.89 g/cm3, mp 283 ℃ is a colorless compound with good solubility in many organic solvents (e.g. 16 % in hexane). It is commercially available as min. 98 % powder and as a 20 % solution in THF. In organic synthesis it serves as a strong base. As one of the few volatile lithium compounds, it sublimes without decomposition at 110 ℃ in vacuum, and is therefore a suitable raw material for lithium doping in CVD processes.

Uses

Lithium tert-butoxide is a mild base used in organic synthesis. It is involved in the alfa-alkylation reaction of ketones with primary alcohols. It is utilized as a catalyst in the reduction of ketones to the corresponding secondary alcohols. It acts as lithium source utilized in the preparation of LixTiyOz thin films. Further, it is used in conjunction with organometallic reagents/catalysts to modify their reactivity and selectivity.

Biochem/physiol Actions

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli causes diarrhea through its heat-labile enterotoxin (LT). The LT is a periplasmic protein composed of one A subunit (LTA, 27 kDa) and five non-covalently associated B subunits (LTB, 11.6 kDa each) forming a ring-like pentamer. LTB has high affinity towards the toxin receptor ganglioside GM1, a glycosphingolipid found ubiquitously on the surface of mammalian cells. Ganglioside GM1 facilitates the delivery of the A subunit to the cytosol of the target cell resulting in persistent synthesis of cAMP and subsequently diarrhea. This characteristic makes LTB a good label for microglial cells (due to the enrichment of ganglioside GM1 on their cell surface). In addition, studies made mostly with animal models demonstrated that recombinant LTB could stimulate strong serum and mucosal immune responses against LT. Other studies have indicated that LTB could be used as a potent mucosal adjuvant.

Safety

Lithium tert-butoxide is dangerous because it catches fire immediately in contact with air. A few precautions will reduce the risk: Use protection when handling hazardous chemicals, always wear lab coats and safety glasses; Because tert-butyl lithium will automatically react with atmospheric moisture, so avoid its exposure to the atmosphere; Don't work alone and remember how to handle an emergency.

Lithium tert-butoxide(1907-33-1)Related Product Information

• Lithium oxide
• tert-Butanol
• Magnesium tert-butoxide
• Tetrabutyl titanate
• Chlorobutanol
• tert-Butyl hydroperoxide
• Lithium chloride
• Sodium tert-butoxide
• Piperonyl butoxide
• Potassium tert-butoxide
• Lithium
• LITHIUM NIOBIUM TERT-BUTOXIDE
• HEXANES
• Butylate
• Hexane
• LITHIUM ISOPROPOXIDE
• LITHIUM TANTALUM TERT-BUTOXIDE
• LITHIUM PERFLUORO(2,6-DIMETHYL-5-OXA-2-HEPTOXIDE)