Alkyllanthanum

Alkyllanthanum triflates, RLa(OTf)2. Alkyl- or aryllithium reagents are known to cleave tertiary amides to ketones, but yields are low because of a further reaction with the ketone to form a tertiary alcohol. The amides can be cleaved to ketones in high yield by reaction with alkyl- or aryllanthanum triflates, generated in situ by reaction of RLi or ArLi with La(OTf), (equation I). 

R NCOX + 2RMgX RaCO/"" //,//-Disubstituted amides high yields when treated with alkyllanthanum triflates RLa(OTf)2. 

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