Formation of Alcohol From Grignard Reagents

$$\text{HCHO} + \text{R--MgX} \xrightarrow{\text{H}_3\text{O}^+} 1^\circ \text{ Alcohol}$$

$$\text{R'--CHO} + \text{R--MgX} \xrightarrow{\text{H}_3\text{O}^+} 2^\circ \text{ Alcohol}$$

$$\text{R'--CO--R''} + \text{R--MgX} \xrightarrow{\text{H}_3\text{O}^+} 3^\circ \text{ Alcohol}$$

Concept: Nucleophilic addition of a Grignard reagent to formaldehyde ($$\text{HCHO}$$), followed by acid hydrolysis, yields a primary alcohol with one carbon atom added to the alkyl chain of the Grignard reagent.