Organic Chemistry
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We are given the following solvents.
Determine which of them can be used as solvents for a Grignard reaction. Explain why.
(b) and (c). Alcohols and carbonyls are nonreactive with Grignard reagents because OH and C=O in alcohols and carbonyls, respectively, are not good electrophiles.
(a) and (d). Ethers are nonreactive with Grignard reagents because O-C in acyclic ethers are relatively stable and strong.
(e) only. Epoxide is nonreactive with the Grignard reagent because it is not nucleophilic enough to break the epoxide ring.
All can react with Grinard reagents, so they cannot be used as solvents.