Answer :
Final answer:
A Grignard reagent reacts with ethylene oxide to form a primary alcohol with a two-carbon chain increase. The alkoxide intermediate formed is then protonated by adding dilute acid to give the final alcohol product.
Explanation:
The reaction of a Grignard reagent with ethylene oxide followed by dilute acid typically results in the formation of a primary alcohol. The Grignard reagent, which is a carbon nucleophile, attacks the less hindered carbon atom of the ethylene oxide, resulting in ring opening and formation of a new carbon-carbon bond.
Subsequently, the addition of dilute acid works to protonate the alkoxide intermediate, leading to the creation of the desired primary alcohol. The important aspect of this chemistry is that it extends the carbon chain of the Grignard reagent by two carbon atoms. This transformation is particularly useful for synthesizing alcohols with an increased carbon chain length in an efficient manner.
