Grignards with Esters: Why Two Additions Occur: Mechanism + Exam Traps

Understand why Grignards add twice to esters (and acid chlorides): first addition gives a ketone intermediate that is even more reactive, leading to a tertiary…

  • Reaction: Grignards with Esters: Why Two Additions Occur
  • What it does: Understand why Grignards add twice to esters (and acid chlorides): first addition gives a ketone intermediate that is even more reactive, leading to a tertiary…
  • Typical reagents: 1) 2 eq CH3MgBr 2) H3O+
  • Key intermediate: Acyl intermediate
  • Driving force: Formation of strong C=O / oxidation state stabilization
  • Exam type: Predict major product
  • Exam type: Mechanism choice

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