Grignard Reagents
Grignard Reagents
The Grignard reagent is highly reactive and reacts with most organic compounds. It also reacts with water, carbon dioxide and oxygen. Grignard reagents are prepared by the reaction of magnesium metal with appropriate alkyl halide in ether solvent. The halogen may be -Cl, -Br, or -I. One of the most important uses of the Grignard Reagent is the reaction with aldehydes and ketones to form alcohol. A related synthesis uses ethylene oxide to prepare alcohols containing two more carbon atoms than that of the alkyl halide.
