Received for review July 31, 2006.

Abstract:

2-Methyltetrahydrofuran (MeTHF) is a commercially available solvent that is produced from renewable resources. The properties of MeTHF place it between tetrahydrofuran (THF) and diethyl ether in solvent polarity and Lewis base strength. In many cases, MeTHF can replace THF in organometallic reactions. The formation and reaction of Grignard reagents in MeTHF and THF are similar. MeTHF can be used as a solvent for low-temperature lithiation, for lithium aluminum hydride reductions, for the Reformatsky reaction, and for metal-catalyzed coupling reactions. MeTHF is also a good substitute for dichloromethane in biphasic reactions.

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