Organolithium reagents, reaction with hindered ketones

Unlike similar reactions with Grignard reagents reduction is not a serious problem.245 Organolithium reagents such as n-butyllithium easily add to hindered ketones such as di-terr-butyl ketone (215). The product is the alcohol by direct addition to the carbonyl, 216.245b Simple organolithium reagents that are commercially available can be added to carbonyl derivatives and often provide the most efficient route to substituted... 

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