Question:

Which of the following is an organometallic compound?

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Organometallic compound = metal directly bonded to carbon. Examples: \(CH_3Li\), \(C_2H_5MgBr\) (Grignard reagent), \(Ni(CO)_4\). Metal bonded to O, N, or halogen is not organometallic.
Updated On: Apr 16, 2026
  • Lithium acetate
  • Methyl lithium
  • Lithium dimethyl amide
  • Lithium methoxide
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The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

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.
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