Chemistry of acetylenic ethers. Part 89: The reaction of organolithium compounds with 1‐alkynyl ethers

Abstract
Disubstituted acetylenes C4H9C≡CR are produced in the reaction of 1‐ethoxy‐1‐hexyne C4H9C≡COC2H5 with organolithium or Grignard compounds RLi or RMgBr. The yields are moderate to satisfactory. Ethoxyethyne HC≡COC2H5 and phenyllithium C6H5Li afford phenylacetylene HC≡CC6H5 (after hydrolysis) in moderate yield.The formation of acetylenes probably proceeds by an addition‐elimination mechanism.