What is "metalation"

alt. (context chemistry English) Any chemical reaction in which a hydrogen atom is replaced by one of a metal n. (context chemistry English) Any chemical reaction in which a hydrogen atom is replaced by one of a metal

Metalation (metallation) is a chemical reaction which results in a metal atom being attached to a (usually organic) molecule.

Lithium metal in contact with an organohalide lithiates the organic molecule and gives the organolithium reagent and lithium halide. Magnesium similarly metalates organohalides to give Grignard reagents.

Protons on a molecule that are acidic, even only slightly, can be exchanged for a metal by a suitable butyllithium reagent mixture.

Transmetalation involves the exchange of two metals between organic molecules. For example, transmetalations can occur when reacting an organolithium reagent with a metal salt.

Category:Organometallic chemistry