A disguised hydride in a butylmagnesium cation

Abstract

The ability of the β-CH functionality in a butylmagnesium cation [Me6TREN-Mg-n-Bu]+ to quantitatively reduce benzophenone has been demonstrated. The hydridic nature of the β-CH functionality is highlighted by its abstraction using B(C6F5)3. β-CH abstraction over alkylation in [Me6TREN-Mg-n-Bu]+ is dependent on the nature of the incoming electrophile and the polarity of the solvent.