Grignard reaction

A carbon–carbon bond-forming reaction in which an organomagnesium reagent reacts with an electrophile, commonly a carbonyl compound. Its strong sensitivity to water requires rigorously dry conditions.

Grignard reagent: An organomagnesium halide, typically written RMgX, with a carbon–magnesium bond. This reagent supplies the carbon nucleophile that attacks the electrophile.
Organohalide: An organic compound in which a halogen atom is bonded to carbon. An organohalide provides the carbon–halogen bond used to prepare a Grignard reagent.
Aldehyde: A carbonyl compound in which the carbonyl carbon is bonded to hydrogen and a carbon or hydrogen substituent. Addition to an aldehyde generally yields a secondary alcohol, or a primary alcohol from formaldehyde.
Protonolysis: A reaction in which a bond to carbon or another element is cleaved by proton transfer. Alcohols, water, and other proton donors consume the reagent instead of allowing carbonyl addition.
Nucleophilic addition: A reaction in which a nucleophile adds to an electron-deficient multiple bond, often a carbonyl group. The carbon–magnesium bond adds across a carbonyl carbon–oxygen bond.
Magnesium: A metallic chemical element with symbol Mg, used in synthesis to form carbon–magnesium bonds. Magnesium inserts into an organohalide’s carbon–halogen bond.
Ketone: A carbonyl compound whose carbonyl carbon is bonded to two carbon-containing groups. Addition to a ketone generally yields a tertiary alcohol after workup.
Wurtz reaction: A coupling reaction in which sodium joins two alkyl halides to form a carbon–carbon bond. It couples halide-derived carbon groups directly rather than adding an organomagnesium reagent to an electrophile.
Carbonyl compound: An organic compound containing a carbon–oxygen double bond. Aldehydes and ketones are common electrophiles in this reaction.
Diethyl ether: A volatile ether commonly used as a solvent in organic synthesis. Its oxygen coordinates magnesium and helps stabilize the reagent in solution.

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