During the synthesis of a Grignard reagent in diethyl ether solvent, what is the identity of the bubbles that show up on the surface of the magnesium?
-Gaseous magnesium byproducts
-Gaseous O2
-Gaseous H2
-Gaseous diethyl ether
1+2 = 43
The identity of the bubbles that show up on the surface of the magnesium during the synthesis of a Grignard reagent in diethyl ether solvent is gaseous hydrogen (H2).
To understand why gaseous hydrogen is produced, we need to know the reaction that occurs during the synthesis of a Grignard reagent. In this reaction, an alkyl or aryl halide reacts with magnesium metal in the presence of a diethyl ether solvent.
The reaction can be represented as:
Rx (alkyl or aryl halide) + Mg + diethyl ether --> RMgX (Grignard reagent)
During this reaction, the magnesium metal reacts with the alkyl or aryl halide to form a new bond, resulting in the formation of the Grignard reagent. The reaction also generates gaseous hydrogen as a byproduct.
The presence of diethyl ether as the solvent helps in preventing oxidation of the magnesium metal, but it itself does not contribute to the formation of bubbles on the surface of magnesium.
Therefore, the correct answer is:
- Gaseous H2