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Multiple Choice
Which of the following statements about Grignard reagents is true?
A
Grignard reagents are stable in the presence of water.
B
Grignard reagents are formed by the reaction of an alkyl halide with magnesium in dry ether.
C
Grignard reagents can be used to form alkenes by reacting with carbon dioxide.
D
Grignard reagents are typically used in acidic conditions to form alcohols.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Begin by understanding what Grignard reagents are. Grignard reagents are organomagnesium compounds typically represented as RMgX, where R is an alkyl or aryl group and X is a halogen.
Recognize the conditions required for the formation of Grignard reagents. They are formed by the reaction of an alkyl halide with magnesium metal in anhydrous (dry) ether. This is crucial because Grignard reagents are highly reactive with water.
Consider the reactivity of Grignard reagents. They are very sensitive to moisture and react with water to form hydrocarbons, thus they are not stable in the presence of water.
Evaluate the use of Grignard reagents in synthesis. They are commonly used to form alcohols by reacting with carbonyl compounds, not typically in acidic conditions, as acids would protonate the Grignard reagent, rendering it inactive.
Understand the reaction of Grignard reagents with carbon dioxide. When Grignard reagents react with CO₂, they form carboxylic acids, not alkenes. This is an important synthetic application of Grignard reagents.