Reaction with Metals: Grignard Reagent Formation

$$\text{R--X} + \text{Mg} \xrightarrow{\text{Dry Ether}} \text{R--MgX} \quad \text{(Organometallic Compound)}$$

Concept: Alkyl halides react with magnesium ribbon in dry ether to form alkylmagnesium halides (Grignard Reagents).

• Grignard reagents are highly reactive towards active hydrogen donors ($$\text{H}_2\text{O}$$, $$\text{ROH}$$, $$\text{NH}_3$$) and decompose instantly to form alkanes:
• $$\text{R--MgX} + \text{H}_2\text{O} \to \text{R--H} + \text{Mg(OH)X}$$