Grignard Synthesis

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Experiment 12: Grignard Synthesis of Triphenylmethanol

Reactions that form carbon-carbon bonds are among the most useful to the synthetic organic chemist. In 1912, Victor Grignard received the Nobel prize in chemistry for his discovery of a new series of reactions that result in the formation of a carbon-carbon bond. A Grignard synthesis first involves the preparation of an organomagnesium reagent via the reaction of an alkyl bromide with magnesium metal:

R Br + Mg

δ–

R

MgBr

δ+

The resulting “Grignard reagent” acts as both a good nucleophile and a strong base. Its nucleophilic character allows it to react with the electrophilic carbon in a carbonyl group, thus forming the carbon-carbon bond. Its basic property means that it will react with acidic compounds, such as carboxylic acids, phenols, thiols and even alcohols and water; therefore, reaction conditions must be free from acids and strictly anhydrous. Grignard reagents will also react with oxygen to form hydroperoxides, thus they are highly unstable when exposed to the atmosphere and are generally not isolated from solution. For a variety of reasons, anhydrous diethyl ether is the solvent of choice for carrying out a Grignard synthesis. Vapors from the highly volatile solvent help to prevent oxygen from reaching the reaction solution. In addition, evidence suggests that the ether molecules actually coordinate with and help stabilize the Grignard reagent:

Et R Et O Mg O Et Br Et

The magnesium metal used in the synthesis contains a layer of oxide on the surface that prevents it from reacting with the alkyl bromide. The pieces of metal must be gently scratched while in the ether solution to expose fresh surface area so that the reaction can commence. Formation of the Grignard reagent is highly exothermic. Once the reaction begins, it will continue to reflux in the absence of an external heat source. The reaction mixture is protected from atmospheric moisture by adding a drying tube, which...