Why is a Grignard reagent a strong base?
1 Answer
Jul 22, 2016
Because it is formally a carbanion, i.e.
Explanation:
The magnesium carbon bond is a highly polar organometallic bond. Given a high degree of charge separation we could describe the ipso carbon as a carbanion, as shown above.
Carbanions are more powerful bases than hydroxide, and upon addition of water would quantitative hydrocarbon and hydroxide.
