Why do Grignard reagents form? [closed]








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Why does magnesium insert itself between a carbon atom and halogen atom? Can anyone give any vague idea about why this occurs?


Also does a Grignard reagent only form when there is carbon atom and halogen atom with single bond between them? For example, can magnesium insert between the carbon and oxygen atoms of a carbonyl?




Yes, this is a very interesting question that till today, not everyone agrees the precise mechanism as to how it works. Here is one with homolytic fission:


[![enter image description here](https://i.stack.imgur.com/BfXNV.gif)](https://i.stack.imgur.com/BfXNV.gif)


For your second query, I don't think it is feasible as the $\ce{C=O}$ carbonyl bond is rather stable.


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