n-Butyl lithium is hexameric in the solid state[1] and in cyclohexane solutions. Why? Here I try to find out some of its secrets.
References
- T. Kottke, and D. Stalke, "Structures of Classical Reagents in Chemical Synthesis: (<i>n</i>BuLi)<sub>6</sub>, (<i>t</i>BuLi)<sub>4</sub>, and the Metastable (<i>t</i>BuLi · Et<sub>2</sub>O)<sub>2</sub>", Angewandte Chemie International Edition in English, vol. 32, pp. 580-582, 1993. https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.199305801