Question

What happens when the Grignard reagent reacts with HCHO?

Answer 1

Grignard Reagent

• “A Grignard reagent is an organomagnesium compound which can be described by the chemical formula of $\mathrm{RMgX}$, where R refers to an alkyl or aryl group and X refers to a halogen”.
• It is a highly reactive and flammable reagent and so the reaction takes place in presence of dry ether.
• The Grignard reagent is an excellent method for the preparation of alcohol.

Reaction

• The Grignard reagent $\mathrm{RMgX}$ reacts with formaldehyde $\left(\mathrm{HCHO}\right)$ to give an alcohol.
• For example, formaldehyde on reaction with methyl magnesium bromide $\left({\mathrm{CH}}_3\mathrm{MgBr}\right)$ results in the formation of ethanol $\left({\mathrm{CH}}_3{\mathrm{CH}}_2\mathrm{OH}\right)$ as the product.
• The chemical reaction is as follows,