Question on organic reaction with Bu-Li / EtBr:

Question

anonymous · Answer

The question is, what is the major product from this reaction below:

anonymous · Answer

Bu mean butane?

anonymous · Answer

Yes, specifically n-Butyl-Lithium

anonymous · Answer

Bu Li exists as Bu- and Li+(Both are partial charges) . Any  R- is a strong base and hence it would abstract acidic hydrogen So you would need to see which hydrogen is most acidic. Here you have two types of alpha hyrdogen |dw:1329397739634:dw| If you see the acidities of the two the hydrogen i have labelled as 2 is more acidic than 1 as the carbanion formed is one degree as compared to 2 which would be 3 degree hence you would get |dw:1329397838781:dw| Now this acts as a nucleophile and you would get an SN2 product with EtBr with Br leaving and Et attaching to that negative charge to get |dw:1329397905079:dw| please pardon my diagrams :)