Process for producing a solution of alkyllithium

Abstract

This disclosure relates to a process for producing alkyllithium compounds for use as anionic polymerization initiators, as well as in various organic reactions. More particularly, it relates to a process for producing an alkyllithium solution by reacting lithium metal having a specific surface area of from 1 to 100 cm2/g with an alkyl halide in an organic solvent medium under conditions of high turbulence, wherein the molar ratio of lithium metal to alkyl halide is from 2.5:1 to 5.5:1. The technical result achieved by the present disclosure includes in achieving a high yield of alkyllithium using lithium metal having a low specific surface area under conditions of high turbulence and at a molar ratio of lithium metal to alkyl halide of from 2.5:1 to 5.5:1, which is comparable to the alkyllithium yield achieved using finely dispersed lithium metal particles having a high specific surface area.

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