Q.How is Alkane prepared from Grignard reagent?
You're viewing a preview — the full solution, concept, methods & PYQ mapping are locked.
Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →Hydrolysing a Grignard reagent with water gives an alkane, R-H.
A Grignard reagent has the general formula R-MgX (R = alkyl/aryl group, X = halogen), formed by reacting an alkyl/aryl halide with magnesium metal in dry ether. The carbon-magnesium bond is highly polar (carbon is δ−, essentially carbanion-like), making the Grignard reagent extremely reactive towards any compound with an acidic/active hydrogen, such as water, alcohols, or amines.
When a Grignard reagent is treated with water (or a dilute acid), it is rapidly hydrolysed, and the alkyl/aryl group picks up a proton to form the corresponding alkane, while magnesium ends up as a hydroxy-halide:
R-MgX + H2O → R-H + Mg(OH)X
…
Unlock everything free for 14 days
- Full step-by-step solutions
- Concept-first explanations
- Methods, shortcuts & mistakes
- PYQ mapping + timed mock tests
Full access for 14 days. No credit card required.