A technician uses magnesium turnings in dry ether to prepare a Grignard reagent. Why is the presence of moisture strictly avoided during this synthesis?
Q1. A technician uses magnesium turnings in dry ether to prepare a Grignard reagent. Why is the presence of moisture strictly avoided during this synthesis?
Answer: The Grignard reagent reacts to form an alkane
Explanation: Grignard reagents are highly reactive bases and react with water to form alkanes. Hydrogen gas is tempting but the alkyl group protonates.