What is the primary organic product formed when an oxirane (ethylene oxide) undergoes nucleophilic ring-opening attack by ethylmagnesium bromide (), followed by acidic hydrolysis?

Question

What is the primary organic product formed when an oxirane (ethylene oxide) undergoes nucleophilic ring-opening attack by ethylmagnesium bromide ($CH_3CH_2MgBr$), followed by acidic hydrolysis?

Prashant Kotian · Accepted Answer

Correct answer: B. The Grignard reagent () attacks the less sterically hindered carbon of the highly strained oxirane ring via . This extends the carbon chain by exactly two carbons, yielding a primary alcohol. Ethyl (2C) + Oxirane (2C) = Butan-1-ol (4C).

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