THE GRIGNARD

REAGENT
Haloalkanes and other compounds with the halogen atom bonded to either sp3-hybridized or sp2-hybridized
carbon atoms (aryl and vinyl halides) react with magnesium metal to yield organomagnesium halides called
Grignard reagents.
𝜹− 𝜹+¿
RX + MgEt2O
R-Mg bond is highly
polar and R and ALCOHOL SYNTHESIS USING RMgX ALSO USED TO PREPARE
MgX bond is ionic.
RMgX
*R can also be an Ar (Aryl group)
preparation of amides, acetals,
amino compounds, organosulphur
GENERAL MECHANISM compounds, ethers, ketones,
aldehydes, etc.

TRANSITION STATE
APPLICATIONS IN REAL LIFE
H3O +

Grignard reagents add to
carbonyl compounds to give
primary, secondary, and • AGROCHEMICAL
KETONE tertiary alcohols. A primary INDUSTRY
alcohol is synthesized by
reacting the Grignard reagent, • used as CHEMO-
R′─MgX, with formaldehyde. CATALYST for its
application in
PHARMACEUTICALS
The synthesized Grignard reagent is highly nucleophilic (also a strong The important synthetic reactions of Grignard
base). This reagent attacks the electrophilic carbon in the polar bond of
the carbonyl group. The mechanism of this Grignard reaction proceeds
C=O reagents are those in which they react as
nucleophiles and attack an unsaturated
through a six-membered ring transition state. It uses an aprotic solvent CARBONYL carbon – the carbon in the carbonyl group
like ether since to achieve the stability of the reagent or its complex GROUP
formation.
References:
Andersson, H., Almqvist, F., & Olsson, R. (2007). Grignard Reaction. Organic Chemistry Portal. https://www.organic-chemistry.org/namedreactions/grignard-reaction.shtm VUELBAN, GESULGA,
Libretexts, & Clark, J. (2020, September 13). Grignard Reagents. Chemistry LibreTexts JOHN NICHOLSON JUREY MAE
BYJU’S. (2021, March 22). Grignard Reaction Mechanism. BYJU’S.com