From Grignard Reagents
In the preparation of alcohols, Grignard reagents are key reactants formed from alkyl halides reacting with magnesium metal. When Grignard reagents react with carbonyl compounds such as aldehydes and ketones, they undergo nucleophilic addition to the carbonyl carbon atom. This process generates an alkoxide intermediate that, when hydrolyzed, results in the formation of an alcohol.
The classification of the resulting alcohol—whether primary, secondary, or tertiary—depends on the type of carbonyl compound used. For instance, the reaction of Grignard reagents with methanal yields primary alcohols, while the reaction with other aldehydes produces secondary alcohols, and ketones yield tertiary alcohols. This versatility makes Grignard reagents invaluable in organic synthesis.