Hi guys,
So I am reacting the phosphonium bromide of Ethyl 4-bromobutanoate with cyclohexanone to get 4-cyclohexylidenebutyric acid in the end.
The procedure is to use potassium tert-butoxide as the strong base to form the carbanions from the phosphonium bromide salt.
The literature says that the solution should turn deep red/orange.
However, in my case, when I added the phosphonium salt (dissolved in DMF) to a suspension of t-OBuK in DMF under Nitrogen, I don't get the deep red solution at all.
What does it suggest?
Have the carbanions been formed?
Thank you!!