A Grignard reagent is formed when an alkyl halide reacts with
- A. sodium metal in dry ether
- B. magnesium in dry ether
- C. zinc in aqueous solution
- D. copper in ethanol
Explanation
Magnesium inserts itself into the carbon to halogen bond to give an alkylmagnesium halide, and the ether must be perfectly dry because even a trace of water destroys the reagent, converting it into an alkane. The carbon attached to magnesium is strongly nucleophilic, which makes Grignard reagents extremely versatile for building carbon to carbon bonds. Sodium with an alkyl halide gives the Wurtz reaction instead.
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