AN ISOTOPIC STUDY OF THE REDUCING ACTION OF THE GRIGNARD REAGENT

Abstract
Benzophenone has been reduced to benzhydrol with three samples of isobutylmagnesium bromide containing deuterium in the alpha, beta, and gamma positions, respectively. Deuterium was found only in the benzhydrol obtained from β-deuteroisobutylmagnesium bromide. Comparison of the ratios of deuterium to protium in β-deuteroisobutylmagnesium bromide and in the benzhydrol obtained from it shows an isotope effect of about two. In the decarboxylation of hydroxyl-deuterated dimethylmalonic acid an isotope effect of 4.5 was observed. These results are considered in terms of the probable mechanisms of the reactions.

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