11/26/11 - Conversion of silyl enol ether enolates into Li enolates

   This is a reaction that we are currently using in our organic class (my last required course) that I am currently studying for.  I feel that I should do posts regarding the reactions I have to know for this class to help me study.  Here is a method to convert a silyl enol ether into a lithium enolate, which can then be used in enolate driven reactions.  This reaction is just performed by adding methyl lithium to the reaction which allows the methyl anion to attack the silyl group and then the oxophilic metal will replace it on the oxygen.