In: Chemistry
Explain why ethers are good aporotic solvents.
Ether general formula R-O-R
Ether does not contains hydrogen atoms . O-H, N-H bonds and they connot form hydrogen bond.
Aprotic solvents may have hydrogens on them somewhere, but they lack O-H and N-H bonds and therefore cannot hydrogen bond with themselves.
Ether is used as a solvent becuse it is aprotic and can solvante the magnesium ion.
A grignard reaction involves the reaction an alkyl halide with magnesium metal to form an alkylmagnesium halide.
R-X + Mg -----------------> R-MgX ether act as solvent
Diethyl ether is an especially good solvent for the formation of grignard reagents for two reasons.