196k views
2 votes
Why can't you use acidic conditions (such as aqueous hydrochloric acid) for the addition of a grignard reagent to a ketone?

User Pavla
by
7.5k points

1 Answer

7 votes
Grignard Reagents are very reactive class of Organo-metallic compounds. Grignard reagent is composed of Alkyl group attached through polar covalent bond to Magnesium and a Halogen atom attached via ionic bond to magnesium. Hence, being more reactive in nature it can readily react with any moisture (water) or any other Acid capable of donating H⁺ to produce hydrocarbons.

Examples:

CH₃MgBr + H₂O → CH₄ + HOMgBr

CH₃MgCl + HCl → CH₄ + MgCl₂

Result:
When Grignard reagent is treated with aqueous HCl it will produce Methane (or any other Hydrocarbon) gas instead of reacting with Ketone to produce tertiary Alcohol.
User Serhii Londar
by
7.7k points