alleryWhich solvent is essential for preparing a Grignard reagent and why?
ABenzene, to solvate the halide
BDry diethyl ether, to coordinate Mg
CWater, to ionise the halide
DEthanol, to protonate the alkyl group
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: B. Dry diethyl ether, to coordinate Mg
Dry ether coordinates to magnesium through lone pairs on oxygen, stabilising the Grignard.
Water (or any protic solvent) destroys the reagent: $RMgX + H_2O \to RH + Mg(OH)X$.
Even traces of moisture kill the reaction.
Keep practising Aldehydes, Ketones and Carboxylic Acids
Browse all Aldehydes, Ketones and Carboxylic Acids questions for CBSE Class 12 (Science), or explore more Chemistry topics.
Related questions
Aldehydes and ketones, unlike alkenes, mainly undergo which kind of addition?Which reagent selectively reduces a nitrile to an imine that hydrolyses to an aldehyde?Which reagent oxidises hexan-1-ol to hexanal only?C8H8O gives 2,4-DNP and iodoform tests, not Tollens'. What is it?Which reagent reduces carboxylic acids to primary alcohols?Which reaction alpha-halogenates acids with Cl2 and red P?Why is SOCl2 preferred over PCl5 for converting RCOOH to RCOCl?Among Ph, Br, F and CF3, which substituent raises carboxylic acid strength the most?