Return to Contents Chapter 15: Alcohols, Diols and Thiols Ch 15 contents

Reactions of RLi and RMgX with Aldehydes and Ketones
(review of Chapter 14)

reaction of RLi or RMgX with aldehydes and ketones
Reactions usually in Et2O followed by H3O+ work-ups
Reaction type:  Nucleophilic Addition

Summary

Related Reactions
NUCLEOPHILIC ADDITION OF RLi or RMgX TO AN ALDEHYDE
Step 1:
The nucleophilic C in the organometallic reagent adds to the electrophilic C in the polar carbonyl group, electrons from the C=O move to the electronegative O creating an intermediate metal alkoxide complex.
addition of Grignard reagent to an aldehyde
Step 2:
This is the  work-up step, a simple acid/base reaction. Protonation of the alkoxide oxygen creates the alcohol product from the intermediate complex.


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organic chemistry © Dr. Ian Hunt, Department of Chemistry University of Calgary