Extension of the e.t. mechanism of aromatic nitration to the formation of Grignard reagents of RX (R = alkyl, aryl, cyclopropyl, vinyl). The ion pair collapse versus radical pair collapse hypothesis

Abstract

The ion pair collapse versus radical pair collapse hypothesis is proposed for the Grignard reagent formation as an extension of the e.t. mechanism of aromatic nitration. Such a scheme, never examined before for the Grignard reaction, could explain the evolution of the ‘free radical character’ depending on experimental conditions and the nature of the substrate.