A KINETIC INVESTIGATION OF THE REACTION OF METHYLMAGNESIUM BROMIDE WITH BENZOPHENONE

Abstract

The reaction of methylmagnesium bromide with benzophenone in tetrahydrofuran was found to be homogeneous and essentially quantitative. The rates of this reaction were measured by following the decrease in absorbance of benzophenone in the ultraviolet as a function of time. Variables examined were concentrations of reactants, magnesium bromide, and temperature. Values were derived for the rate constants, and the energy and entropy of activation. The reaction was found to be initially first order in each reactant, but the rate decreased faster with time than would be predicted from the simple second-order rate equation. The implications of these findings are discussed.