All books

Professional

Apps About Coach Log in Start reading

Chemistry · Glossary

What is Organometallic compound, Grignard reagent?

Also known as: organometallic compound · organomagnesium compound · Grignard reagent

Definition 21.1 University Chemistry — Year 1 · Chapter 21 — Organomagnesium Reagents

An organometallic compound contains at least one carbon–metal bond. An organomagnesium compound has a C–Mg bond; the Grignard reagent RMgX\ce{RMgX} (X = Cl, Br, I), prepared from a halogenoalkane or halogenoarene and magnesium in an ether, R−X+Mg→R−MgX\ce{R-X + Mg -> R-MgX}, is the most common.

A Grignard reagent in ethoxyethane (diethyl ether). The oxygen–magnesium dative bonds explain why the reagent forms only in an ether or a similar Lewis base.
A Grignard reagent in ethoxyethane (diethyl ether). The oxygen–magnesium dative bonds explain why the reagent forms only in an ether or a similar Lewis base.
Apparatus for a Grignard reaction: everything that air can reach is dried. The water vapour of the air is stopped by the drying tube; the condenser returns the boiling ether to the flask.
Apparatus for a Grignard reaction: everything that air can reach is dried. The water vapour of the air is stopped by the drying tube; the condenser returns the boiling ether to the flask.
Read in context →