Chemistry
Understanding the Synthesis and Reactivity of Grignard Reagents
Quick fact
Grignard reagents are made by adding an alkyl or aryl halide to magnesium metal in anhydrous ether, and the carbon–magnesium bond is so polarized that the carbon behaves as a carbanion, acting as a powerful nucleophile and base.
Why this is interesting
Imagine you could turn a simple hydrocarbon into a carbon-based 'magnet' that attacks other molecules to build new bonds. That’s exactly what a Grignard reagent does — but it must be kept perfectly dry, or it fizzles out. Why?