Discussion The choice of solvent for the synthesis is important because carbenoid reactions of lithium halomethides occur best in those that solvate lithium cations poorly. 14 However, diethyl ether, the solvent commonly used for carbenoid reactions, gives only a low yield of benzvalene, probably because it dissolves only a small amount of lithium cyclopentadienide. Dimethyl ether, in contrast, gives a good yield, and although it also ...
