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  • Grignard Reaction with Methanol: Equation & Explanation
    The reaction of ethyl magnesium bromide (CH₃CH₂MgBr) with methanol (CH₃OH) is a Grignard reaction. Grignard reagents are strong nucleophiles and bases, and they react with acidic protons to form alkanes.

    Here's the equation for the reaction:

    CH₃CH₂MgBr + CH₃OH → CH₃CH₃ + MgBrOCH₃

    Explanation:

    * CH₃CH₂MgBr: This is the Grignard reagent, ethyl magnesium bromide.

    * CH₃OH: This is methanol, which acts as the acidic proton source.

    * CH₃CH₃: This is ethane, the alkane formed as the product.

    * MgBrOCH₃: This is magnesium bromide methoxide, a byproduct of the reaction.

    Mechanism:

    1. The nucleophilic carbon in the Grignard reagent attacks the acidic hydrogen of the methanol molecule.

    2. The bond between the hydrogen and oxygen in methanol breaks, forming ethane (CH₃CH₃) and a magnesium bromide methoxide (MgBrOCH₃) ion.

    Note: This reaction is highly exothermic and can be quite vigorous.

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