Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Nucleophilic Addition
Nucleophilic addition is a fundamental reaction in organic chemistry where a nucleophile attacks an electrophilic carbon atom, typically found in carbonyl compounds. In this case, phenyl lithium (PhLi) acts as a strong nucleophile, attacking the carbonyl carbon of the ketone, leading to the formation of an alkoxide intermediate.
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Reactivity of Organolithium Reagents
Organolithium reagents, such as phenyl lithium, are highly reactive and serve as strong nucleophiles in organic synthesis. They can effectively add to electrophilic centers, such as carbonyl groups, resulting in the formation of new carbon-carbon bonds. Their reactivity is crucial for the transformation of ketones into alcohols after subsequent protonation.
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Protonation of Alkoxides
After the nucleophilic addition of phenyl lithium to the carbonyl compound, the resulting alkoxide intermediate is typically protonated to yield the final alcohol product. This step is often facilitated by adding a proton source, such as H3O+, which donates a proton to the negatively charged oxygen, converting the alkoxide into a stable alcohol.
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