sec-Butyllithium
sec-BuLi
SBL

Chemical formula CH3CH2CH2CH2–Li
Appearance clear to yellow solution

sec-Butyllithium is a very strong base, exceedingly useful in organic synthesis. SBL has found particular utility in the ortho metallation of aromatic substrates. SBL is also a very effective initiator of anionic polymerization of styrene and conjugated dienes. The synthesis of solution SBR and of styrenic thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs), in particular, is facilitated by SBL. References: The Chemistry of Organolithium Compounds, ed. Zvi Rappoport and Ilan Marek, Wiley, 2004, West Sussex, England.