ORGLIST:Role of iodine - Grignard.

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From: F.J. Lalor (f.lalor$##$ucc.ie)
Date: Wed Sep 25 2002 - 09:23:35 EDT

>
>What action takes place on the surface of magnesium with iodine
>vapor that promotes the formation of grignard reagent.

As I understand it there are three separate effects:
(1) Reacts with the magnesium and in the process strips off any
oxidised surface layers exposing fresh more reactive surface.
(2) The MgI2 thus formed is hygroscopic and scavenges the solvent for
traces of water which would inhibit RMgX formation and/or destroy it
when formed.
(3) MgI2 also catalyses RMgX formation by a radical process:
Mg + MgI2 ---> 2 MgI radicals
MgI + RI ---> R* + MgI2
R* + MgI ---> RMgI

Hope this helps -
Fergus 

-- 

--------------------------------------------------
Dr. Fergus Lalor, Senior Lecturer, Chemistry Dept., University
College, Cork, IRELAND.
Telephone: 353-(0)21-4902317. Fax: 353-(0)21-4274097

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