Clusters of IIA and IIIA groups metals: synthesis and reactivity

Cluster Grignard Reagents

“…Grignard reagents, RMgX, are some of the most important synthetic reagents, but although they have been used for over a century, investigations of their structures, the mechanisms of their formation, and reactivity are still continuing and new ideas are still appearing . One intriguing hypothesis discussed in the literature − is the possibility of the existence of “cluster Grignard reagents”, particularly under conditions of metal vapor synthesis (MVS). However, up to now there has been no direct evidence in favor of this hypothesis.…”

“…It is therefore possible that phenyltetramagnesium halides are obtained initially from all C 6 H 5 X (X = Br, Cl, F) systems, but that this initial product reacts with the excess of phenyl halide in the case of the most reactive system, C 6 H 5 Mg 4 Br−C 6 H 5 Br. In contrast, for the relatively inert system C 6 H 5 Mg 4 F−C 6 H 5 F organopolymagnesiumfluorides can be isolated from C 6 H 5 F solution as polycrystalline solids stable in a vacuum for a few weeks. , …”