From the Alkyllithium Aggregate [{( n BuLi) 2 ⋅PMDTA} 2 ] to Lithiated PMDTA

A commonly used deprotonation agent is the combination of n ‐butyllithium and N , N , N ′, N ′′, N ′′‐pentamethyldiethylenetriamine (PMDTA). The highly reactive aggregate [{( n BuLi) 2 ⋅PMDTA} 2 ] crystallizes out of a 2:1 mixture of n BuLi and PMDTA. The molecular structure provides insight into the significant influence of the n BuLi/PMDTA ratio on the course of some deprotonation reactions.