Question

Explain why all glassware must be dry and the solvent anhydrous during formation and reaction of a Grignard reaction. Explain why it is advisable to not clean your glassware with acetone before a Grignard reaction. Include balanced chemical equations in your answer. (4 pts)

Answer 1

The Grignard reagent will be destroyed

Step-by-step explanation:

The Grignard reaction is based on a carbanion production (RMgX). If water is present in the glassware, a reaction can take place with
`H_2O` and the desired product will not be produced. Because an "H" would be transferred from water to the Grignard reagent. (See figure 1)

If we have acetone in the glassware we will have a similar problem. The Grignard reagent would be destroyed and the desired product will not be produced. The Grignard reagent will attack the carbon in the carbonyl group and the carbanion would disappear. (See figure 2)