n-Butyllithium Solution CAS 109-72-8 High Quality

n-Butyllithium is a multi-purpose anionic polymerization initiator. In recent years, explosions and fires caused by butyl lithium have been reported frequently. So how can we avoid these tragedies as much as possible in the experiments using butyl lithium?
(1) n-Butyllithium is very easy to ignite spontaneously when exposed to air. When measuring, the tip of the needle will emit sparks in the air;
(2) The whole process must be protected with inert gas, and special attention should be paid to safety;
(3) When butyl lithium catches fire, sand shall be used to extinguish the fire. Usually there must be sand for fire fighting within reach;
(4) When preparing and using butyl lithium, it is best not to operate it alone, so as not to be able to handle it alone in case of accidents;
(5) n-Butyllithium is a reagent with strong nucleophilicity and can initiate anionic polymerization. Plastic or rubber containers should be avoided and stored at low temperature without light and water.
(6) The reaction system and solvent using butyl lithium should be strictly anhydrous and oxygen-free;
(7) n-Butyllithium should not be stained or dripped on flammable substances (such as acetone cold bath in Dewar);
(8) In the process of taking butyl lithium, the needle will be blocked (solid or rubber scraps with reverse plug in front of the needle are stuffed into the needle hole when the air humidity is high). It is necessary to be calm and tell the person accompanying you to operate to handle it properly in time.
(9) Once n-Butyllithium drips onto the table or the ground, do not be nervous and cover it with asbestos cloth or sand immediately. Never drip into clothes or solvents;
(10) When the dosage is large, it is recommended to directly use a dry and clean stainless steel catheter, and slowly drop butyl lithium into the reaction system through the tiny positive pressure of a suitable inert gas that can control the flow rate. The measure to interrupt at any time is to timely pump the stainless steel catheter from below the butyl lithium liquid level to above the liquid level.
(11) The addition speed of butyl lithium should be strictly controlled. If the weather humidity is slightly higher, the outer wall of the frozen bottle exposed above the surface of dry ice-acetone bath will form thick frost, and it is basically impossible to clearly observe the reaction speed in the reaction bottle.