What is the main product when benzaldehyde is treated with Grignard reagent followed by hydrolysis?

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Q: What is the main product when benzaldehyde is treated with Grignard reagent followed by hydrolysis?

Solution: The reaction of benzaldehyde with Grignard reagent followed by hydrolysis yields benzyl alcohol.

Steps: 6

Step 1: Start with benzaldehyde, which is a compound with a benzene ring and a formyl group (–CHO).
Step 2: Prepare a Grignard reagent, which is typically made from an alkyl or aryl halide and magnesium in dry ether. For example, phenylmagnesium bromide (C6H5MgBr) can be used.
Step 3: Add the Grignard reagent to the benzaldehyde. The Grignard reagent acts as a nucleophile and attacks the carbon atom of the carbonyl group (C=O) in benzaldehyde.
Step 4: This reaction forms a new compound called a magnesium alkoxide intermediate.
Step 5: Next, perform hydrolysis by adding water (H2O) to the reaction mixture. This step converts the magnesium alkoxide into an alcohol.
Step 6: The final product of this reaction is benzyl alcohol, which has a benzene ring attached to a –CH2OH group.