What is the primary organic product formed when an oxirane (ethylene oxide) undergoes nucleophilic r — Alcohols Phenols and Ethers Chemistry Question
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?
Answer: B
💡 Solution & Explanation
The Grignard reagent ($CH_3CH_2^-$) attacks the less sterically hindered carbon of the highly strained oxirane ring via $S_N2$. 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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