when CO2 react with ethyl magnesium iodide followed by acid hydrolysis which product is formed?

When carbon dioxide (CO2) reacts with ethyl magnesium iodide (C2H5MgI) followed by acid hydrolysis, the product formed is a carboxylic acid. Specifically, the reaction generates ethyl acetic acid, commonly known as acetic acid (CH3COOH). This transformation is part of a reaction sequence that involves a Grignard reagent and carbon dioxide.

The Reaction Process

To understand the chemistry behind this reaction, let’s break it down into clear steps:

Step 1: Formation of the Grignard Reagent

Ethyl magnesium iodide is a Grignard reagent, which is created by reacting magnesium metal with ethyl iodide. Grignard reagents are highly reactive organometallic compounds. In this case, the ethyl group (C2H5) is attached to magnesium, which has a strong tendency to donate electrons.

Step 2: Reaction with Carbon Dioxide

When the Grignard reagent is treated with carbon dioxide, it acts as a nucleophile. The carbonyl carbon in CO2 is electrophilic, meaning it can accept electrons. The ethyl group from the Grignard reagent attacks the electrophilic carbon in carbon dioxide:

• The ethyl group (C2H5) bonds to the carbon in CO2.
• This results in the formation of a carboxylate intermediate (C2H5COO−MgI+).

Step 3: Acid Hydrolysis

Next, when we perform acid hydrolysis, typically by adding a dilute acid like hydrochloric acid (HCl), the carboxylate intermediate is converted into a carboxylic acid. The acid provides protons (H+), which convert the carboxylate ion into the corresponding carboxylic acid:

• The intermediate reacts with H+ from the acid.
• This ultimately yields ethyl acetic acid (CH3COOH).

Summary of the Reaction

The overall reaction can be summarized as follows:

• Starting Materials: Ethyl magnesium iodide + Carbon dioxide
• Intermediate: Carboxylate ion (C2H5COO−)
• Final Product: Ethyl acetic acid (CH3COOH)

This entire process illustrates the utility of Grignard reagents in forming new carbon-carbon bonds and synthesizing various organic compounds, showcasing the versatility and importance of these reagents in organic chemistry.