High School

The presence of water will destroy the nucleophilic properties of the Grignard reagent that is necessary for the reaction to occur.

1. True
2. False

Answer :

Final answer:

The statement that water will destroy the nucleophilic properties of a Grignard reagent is true because water reacts with the Grignard reagent to form a hydrocarbon and magnesium hydroxide, eliminating its nucleophilic properties. Therefore, the option (1). True, is the correct answer.

Explanation:

The presence of water will indeed destroy the nucleophilic properties of a Grignard reagent. Grignard reagents are highly reactive towards water, which can provide a source of protons (H+) that readily react with the Grignard reagent. When a Grignard reagent comes into contact with water, it will undergo a hydrolysis reaction, forming the corresponding hydrocarbon and a magnesium hydroxide precipitate.

Hydrolysis reactions are indeed associated with the formation of a water molecule, so the statement that hydrolysis is associated with synthesis reactions is true.

This sensitivity to moisture means that compounds with Grignard reagents must be handled under anhydrous (water-free) conditions to remain reactive. Thus, any presence of water negates their ability for nucleophilic attack on a carbonyl group or any other electrophilic center, making dry, water-free environments essential for reactions involving Grignard reagents. Therefore, the option (1). True, is the correct answer.