PARTIALLY SOLVATED ALKYLMAGNESIUM CHLORIDES IN TOLUENE

Toluene solutions of alkylmagnesium chlorides partially solvated by di ethyl ether were investigated. Primary and secondary alkyl chlorides c an be converted into Grignard reagents in good yields in the presence of small amounts of ether (less than one mole per mole of halide). Ter tiary chlorides form only monosolvated organomagnesium compounds. Ultr asound accelerates the process. The reagents obtained are heterogeneou s, but the solubilities of the partially solvated complexes in toluene are fairly high. Some of the reagents disproportionate to magnesium c hloride and the dialkylmagnesium. The extent of disproportionation dec reases with an increase in the concentration of the reagent or in the steric requirements of the alkyl moiety.