Reaction of dialkylmagnesium with carbon monoxide. II

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0022-328X(88)80545-X

Reaction of MgEt2 with CO gives Et2CO, Et2CHOH, EtCOCH(OH)Et, EtCOCHEt2 and EtCOC(OH)Et2.The qualitative and quantitative composition of the product mixture was found to be dependent on the MgEt2 concentration and the polarity of solvent.The kinetic results reveal that reaction of CO with MgEt2 and with its dissociation product MgEt3^-, followed by the formation of the Et2CO and EtCOCHEt2, respectively.The other compounds are formed in the subsequent reactions.The rate constants of formation of pentanone-3 and 4-ethylhexanone-3 are equal k₁ 0.292 s^-1 and k₂ 0.450 s^-1, respectively.