Question

Which of the following statements about organometallic reagents is not true?

a. Organometallic reagents contain a carbon atom bonded to a metal.
b. The more polar the carbon-metal bond, the more reactive the organometallic reagent
c. Organometallic reagents react as bases and nucleophiles.
d. Organometallic reagents are strong acids that readily donate a proton to water.

Answer 1

The correct answer is d. Organometallic reagents are not strong acids; rather, they are bases and nucleophiles that can deprotonate weak acids but do not donate protons themselves.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement about organometallic reagents that is not true is: Organometallic reagents are strong acids that readily donate a proton to water. Organometallic reagents, which contain a carbon atom bonded to a metal, actually react as bases and nucleophiles due to the polar carbon-metal bond.

These reagents are highly reactive when the bond is more polar because it makes the carbon more electron-rich and therefore a stronger nucleophile. Contrary to being strong acids, organometallic compounds are known for their ability to deprotonate weak acids, such as water, but they do not donate protons themselves.