Fig. 2: Evaluation of organolithium gels in vials using nucleophilic addition reactions under a variety of gel storage conditions.

a, Formation of PhLi_gel and screening of PhLi_gel stability under ambient conditions, using reactivity in a nucleophilic addition to a ketone as the probe. The gel samples were stored under different conditions. b, Formation of n-BuLi_gel and screening of n-BuLi_gel stability under ambient conditions, using reactivity in a nucleophilic addition to a ketone as the probe. The gel samples were stored under different conditions. c, Nucleophilic addition reactions of PhLi_gel (left) and n-BuLi_gel (right) with a ketone and an imine, after exposure to air for 30 min, to yield secondary alcohol and amine products. ^aConversions were determined by ¹H NMR spectroscopy using the relative integrals of key signals in the product and starting material. ^bThe vial was closed with a lid after 5-min exposure to air—this substantially extended the lifetime of the gel.