Lithium dimethylcuprate tetrahydrofuran solution

Indeed, in diethyl ether, lithium dimethylcuprate usually reacts with the a-enone group to give a methyl-substituted bromo ketone. Addition of hexamethylphosphoric triamide (HMPT), however, slows down this reaction to such an extent that displacement of the bromo substituent takes place [698], Another remarkable example of the influence of HMPT on chemoselectivity is the reaction of an arsonium ylide, Ph3As= CH-CH=CH-Ph, with benzaldehyde in tetrahydrofuran solution, yielding either an epoxide (in THE) or an alkene (in THF/HMPT) [699],... 

---