Abstract: A composition of at least one lithium cycloalkyl imide of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R and R' each represent a hydrogen or alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and x and y are integers of 1 to 3.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of ethynyl carbinols of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R" is hydrogen, a substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon, R'" is a substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon or R" and R'" together to the carbon atom to which they are joined represent a steroid, which comprises the steps ofA. reacting in a solvent system comprising an aromatic hydrocarbon, at least one lithium alkylamide selected from the group consisting of: ##STR2## wherein R is a hydrogen or lower alkyl, R' is hydrogen, lower alkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic, alicyclic or aromatic hydrocarbon, x is an integer of 2 to 8, y and z are each 0 to 1, with acetylene to form a monolithium acetylideB. reacting in a solvent system comprising an aromatic hydrocarbon, the monolithium acetylene from Part A with a ketone of the formula R"R'"C.dbd.O, wherein R" and R'" are as hereinbefore defined, and thenC.