The Grignard reaction is based on the chemistry of what type of species?

• A. Organomagnesium compounds
• B. Organolithium compounds
• C. Carbanions
• D. Carbocations

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that the Grignard reaction involves a reagent known as a Grignard reagent, which is crucial to the reaction's mechanism.
2. Recall that Grignard reagents are organometallic compounds formed by the reaction of an alkyl or aryl halide with magnesium metal in an ether solvent.
3. Recognize that these reagents contain a carbon-magnesium bond, where the carbon behaves as a nucleophile due to the polarity of the bond, making it highly reactive.
4. Identify that the species involved in the Grignard reaction are therefore organomagnesium compounds, specifically of the form R-MgX, where R is an organic group and X is a halogen.
5. Conclude that the Grignard reaction is based on the chemistry of organomagnesium compounds, which act as nucleophiles attacking electrophilic centers in other molecules.