How do you make grignard reagent mechanisms?

1 Answer
anor277
Nov 13, 2016

For the formation of Grignards, or for their action?

Explanation:

As far as anybody knows, Grignards form via radical mechanisms on a metallic surface to give #R-MgX#, or #R^(delta-)""^(delta+)MgX#, where the ipso carbon, the carbon directly bound to the metal, is a formal carbanion.

Usually, the Grignard is poured directly onto dry ice to give a carboxylate salt that is one carbon longer than the original hydrocarbyl residue.

#R^(delta-)""^(delta+)MgX+CO_2(s)rarrRCO_2^(-)""^(+)MgX#

And aqueous work up gives the carboxylic acid as required, i.e. #RCO_2H#.

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