Question

How do you name Grignard reagents?

Answer 1

Well, usually, Grignards follow the name of parent hydrocarbyl halide.

Explanation:

And thus for `R-MgX`, we would say:

`"phenyl magnesium chloride"` for `R=C_6H_5, X=Cl`,

`"methyl magnesium iodide"` for `R=CH_3, X=I`,

`"tert-butyl magnesium chloride"` for `R=C(CH_3)_3, X=Cl`, or

`"dimethyl magnesium"` for `R=X=CH_3`.

Note that in ethereal solution, the actual Grignard reagent is probably an oligomer, with the magnesium centre solvated by several ethereal donors, however, the ethers are along for the ride, while the Grignard does it job of `C-C` bond formation.