Final answer:
When bromobenzene is treated with Mg in dry ether, the Grignard reaction forms phenylmagnesium bromide. This Grignard reagent is highly reactive, used for forming carbon-carbon bonds in the synthesis of a variety of organic compounds.
Step-by-step explanation:
When bromobenzene is treated with Mg in the presence of dry ether, a reaction known as the Grignard reaction occurs. This chemical reaction involves the formation of a Grignard reagent, which is an organomagnesium compound that has the formula R-Mg-X, where R is an alkyl or aryl group and X is a halogen. In the case of bromobenzene, the magnesium atom inserts itself between the bromine atom and the benzene ring, yielding phenylmagnesium bromide.
This organomagnesium compound is highly reactive and can be used for various chemical synthesis processes, such as the formation of carbon-carbon bonds. It acts as a nucleophile, attacking electrophilic carbon atoms, particularly those in carbonyl groups. This is a fundamental step in many organic reactions, leading to the creation of alcohols, carboxylic acids, and other organic compounds when the Grignard reagent is further reacted with carbonyl-containing compounds.