Chapter 12, Problem 16P

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The products for the given reactions are to be predicted.

Concept introduction:

Grignard reagent reactions with carbonyl groups are treated as acid base reactions.

The reaction of Grignard reagents with carbonyl groups yields secondary and tertiary alcohols as their products. These reactions are a two-step reaction. In first step, nucleophilic addition of carbonyl group takes place because Grignard reagent being nucleophilic uses its lone pair of electrons to form a bond with a carbon atom. This results in the formation of an alkoxide ion which remains associated with $M{g}^{2+}$ and $X^{-}$.

In the second step, addition of aqueous HX causes the protonation of the alkoxide ion which leads to the formation of the alcohol and $Mg{X}_2$ .