Method and apparatus for the controlled dilution of organometallic compounds

A method for controlling the concentration of an alkyllithium composition, comprising the steps of:

• supplying a hydrocarbon solvent;
• supplying an alkyllithium;
• mixing the alkyllithium with the solvent to form a blended alkyllithium composition;
• measuring the concentration of the alkyllithium within said blended composition using Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy;
• and
• terminating the addition of said solvent, said alkyllithium, or both, to said composition when the measured concentration of the alkyllithium in said composition approximates a predetermined target concentration value.

An apparatus for controlling the concentration of an organometallic compound in hydrocarbon solvent, the apparatus comprising:

• a hydrocarbon solvent inlet, having a first valve in-line therewith;
• an organometallic compound inlet, having a second valve in-line therewith;
• a mixer in fluid communication with both the hydrocarbon solvent inlet and the organometallic compound inlet;
• an organometallic/hydrocarbon composition outlet in fluid communication with the mixer;
• a spectrometer having an input in optical communication with said composition outlet;
• an spectroscopic analyzer in communication with said spectrometer;
• and
• a control unit in communication with analyzer and operatively connected to at least one of said first and said second valves.