CH1012
                                         L1 /   
‹#›
                                         L1 /   
3
ETHYL LITHIUM
The organolithium compound C2H5Li (ethyllithium) is also a covalently bound
organometallic compound (organometallic
complex).
The bonding is polarized:         d-      d+
C2H5Cl  +  2Li              ®     CH3CH2Li  +  LiCl
chloroethane     petroleum solvent
                                  (non-polar)
• Such lithium species have properties typical of covalent substances (high volatility, soluble in non-polar solvents,..).