Question

Grignard reagent reacts with $HCHO$ to produce:

• A. secondary alcohol
• B. anhydride
• C. acid
• D. primary alcohol

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

primary alcohol

In methanal, both $R$ groups are hydrogen. Methanal is the simplest possible aldehyde $HCHO$. Assuming that we are starting with $C{H}_{3}C{H}_{2}MgBr$. Since both R groups are hydrogen atoms, the final product will be a primary alcohol. A primary alcohol is formed. A primary alcohol has only one alkyl group attached to the carbon atom with the $-OH$ group on it.