The Preparation And Exchange Reactions Of Certain Dialkylmagnesium Compounds

Di-n-octylmagnesium was prepared in toluene in a nitrogen atmosphere using a two-step process. An ether solution of n-octylmagnesium bromide was prepared by the standard Grignard method. The ether was then removed by distillation as toluene was added dropwise to replace the ether. Solutions of Di-n-octylmagnesium were obtained which showed a base/halide ratio as high as seven upon hydrolysis and analysis. This ratio for a Grignard reagent is one.