Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Nucleophilic Addition Reactions
Nucleophilic addition reactions involve the attack of a nucleophile on an electrophilic carbon atom, typically found in carbonyl groups. In this case, the phenylmagnesium bromide (PhMgBr) acts as a nucleophile, attacking the carbonyl carbon of the cyclic compound. This reaction leads to the formation of an alkoxide intermediate, which can be protonated in a subsequent step to yield an alcohol.
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Grignard Reagents
Grignard reagents, such as phenylmagnesium bromide (PhMgBr), are organomagnesium compounds that are highly reactive nucleophiles. They are used to form carbon-carbon bonds by attacking electrophilic centers, such as carbonyls. The excess of Grignard reagent in this reaction indicates that it will react with both carbonyl groups in the cyclic compound, leading to the formation of a tertiary alcohol after protonation.
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Carbonation of Grignard Reagents
Protonation of Alkoxides
After the nucleophilic addition of a Grignard reagent to a carbonyl compound, the resulting alkoxide intermediate must be protonated to form the final alcohol product. This is typically achieved by adding a proton source, such as dilute acid (H3O+), which donates a proton to the negatively charged oxygen of the alkoxide. This step is crucial for converting the intermediate into a stable alcohol, completing the reaction.
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