The Grignard Reaction

Abstract

The Grignard reagent, with its variety of useful reactions, has long been recognized as one of the fundamental tools of organic synthesis. [11] It should, for this reason, be of interest to inspect the topic as a compact and rather complete subject in itself, rather than to assume the usual textbook approach, which mentions it only from time to time as it is encountered in other phases of organic chemistry. Although a detailed study of each individual reaction and reaction product derived from the Grignard reagent would not be practical in a paper of this length, an attempt will be made to classify these reactions in general groupings, illustrated with specific examples, in order to show the broad scope and importance of the topic. The means used to accomplish this will be to give the historical background leading up to the use of the Grignard reaction first, then the methods of preparing various Grignard reagents, and after this some of the properties, mechanisms, reactions, and uses of the reagent itself. An important part of the discussion of both preparations and uses is that which deals with the limitations and shortcomings of the reaction. Finally, the purpose of the experimental work involved has been to determine, to some extent, the part which the solvent plays in influencing reactions of the Grignard reagent. [From Introduction]