Solution structures of the mixed aggregates derived from lithium acetylides and a camphor-derived amino alkoxide.

Low-temperature 6Li, 13C, and 15N NMR spectroscopies reveal that mixtures of lithium cyclopropylacetylide or lithium phenylacetylide (RCCLi) and a vicinal amino alkoxide derived from camphor (R*OLi) in THF/pentane afford an asymmetric (RCCLi)3(R*OLi) mixed tetramer and a C2-symmetric (RCCLi)2(R*OLi)2 mixed tetramer depending on the stoichiometries. The corresponding (RCCLi)(R*OLi)3 mixed tetramer is not observed. R*OLi-mediated additions of PhCCLi to benzaldehyde proceed with up to an 8:1 enantiomeric ratio that depend on both the choice of R*OLi and the PhCCLi/R*OLi stoichiometries. The results are considered in light of a previously proposed mechanism for the 1,2-addition to a trifluoromethyl ketone.