Concept:
An organometallic compound is defined as a compound containing at least one direct metal-carbon (M–C) bond, where the carbon is part of an organic group.
Step 1: Analyze each option.
• (A) Lithium acetate — \(CH_3COOLi\) (or \(CH_3COO^- Li^+\)).
Lithium is bonded to oxygen atoms (ionic bond), not directly to carbon. The carbon of the acetate group is bonded to oxygen, not to lithium.
\(\Rightarrow\) Not organometallic (it is a metal carboxylate salt).
• (B) Methyl lithium — \(CH_3Li\).
Lithium is directly bonded to the carbon of the methyl group (\(Li-CH_3\)). This is a direct metal–carbon sigma bond.
\(\Rightarrow\) Organometallic compound (a classic example of an organolithium reagent).
• (C) Lithium dimethyl amide — \((CH_3)_2NLi\) (or \([(CH_3)_2N]^- Li^+\)).
Lithium is bonded to nitrogen, not to carbon. The methyl groups are attached to nitrogen, not directly to lithium.
\(\Rightarrow\) Not organometallic (it is a metal amide).
• (D) Lithium methoxide — \(CH_3OLi\) (or \(CH_3O^- Li^+\)).
Lithium is bonded to oxygen (alkoxide ion), not directly to carbon. The methyl group is attached to oxygen.
\(\Rightarrow\) Not organometallic (it is a metal alkoxide).
Step 2: Conclusion.
Only methyl lithium contains a direct lithium–carbon bond, making it the only organometallic compound among the options.