Applications
Butyllithium is principally valued as an initiator for the anionic polymerization of dienes, such as butadiene. The reaction is called "carbolithiation":
- C4H9Li + CH2=CH-CH=CH2 → C4H9-CH2-CH=CH-CH2Li
Isoprene can be polymerized stereospecifically in this way. Also of commercially importance is the use of butyllithium for the production of styrene-butadiene polymers. Even ethylene will insert into BuLi.
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