Discussion Compounds which are basic compared to the lithium alkyl increase the polarity of the lithium- carbon bond by coordination with the lithium atom in the sense that a greater negative charge is placed on carbon.I3 R-Li + 2B + R- +[Li.2B] Therefore, in the presence of such basic compounds the reactivity of lithium alkyls is enhanced. The magnitude of rate of polymerization in the presence of excess base where all of the lithium alkyl is pres- ent as the complex is ...
