Chapter 19: Carboxylic Acids |
Carbonation of Grignard
Reagents, RMgX, by CO2
Summary
NUCLEOPHILIC
ADDITION OF RMgX TO CARBON DIOXIDE
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Step 1: The nucleophilic C in the Grignard reagent adds to the electrophilic C in the polar carbonyl group, electrons from the C=O move to the electronegative O creating an intermediate magnesium carboxylate complex. |
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Step 2: This is the work-up step, a simple acid/base reaction. Protonation of the carboxylate oxygen creates the carboxylic acid product from the intermediate complex. |
© Dr. Ian Hunt, Department of Chemistry |