How do Grignard reagents work?

Question

Elias Aguila · Accepted Answer

See this old answer for details.

To answer you specific question, Grignard reactions usually work superbly. They make #C-C# bonds reliably and straightforwardly. The Grignard reagent is a powerful nucleophile, i.e. #R^(delta-)""^(delta+)MgBr#, or even as #R^(-)""^(+)MgBr#, which reacts with carbonyls and epoxides to give substituted #C-C# bonds. Naturally, the right conditions must exist for the synthesis and application of Grignard reagents, including dry, ethereal solvents and substrates devoid of protic functionality, such as those with alcoholic or carboxylic functions.

Nicholas Antonuccio · Answer

undefined Grignard reagents work by reacting with various organic compounds to form new carbon-carbon bonds, typically through a nucleophilic addition mechanism. This reaction involves the nucleophilic attack of the carbon atom of the Grignard reagent on the electrophilic carbon atom of the organic compound, resulting in the formation of a new carbon-carbon bond and the subsequent addition of the Grignard group to the organic molecule. This process is highly versatile and widely used in organic synthesis to construct complex organic molecules.