Question

The reaction of ethyl magnesium bromide with water would give
A. ethane
B. Ethyl alcohol
C. Ethyl bromide
D. Ethyl ether

Answer 1

Ethyl magnesium bromide is a type of organometallic compound. These types of compounds have a metal atom along with other atoms. An organometallic compound that consists of an alkyl group, a metal atom, and a halogen atom is named as Grignard Reagent.

Complete step-by-step answer: Ethyl magnesium bromide is a type of Grignard reagent. Grignard reagents contain RMgX groups. Where R is the alkyl group, Mg is the metal (magnesium), and X is the halogen atom. Grignard reagents react with water to form alkanes. Grignard reagents act as nucleophiles, and attack the species that are deficient in electrons.
It reacts with water in such a way that the halogen atom takes the place of one proton in the water molecule, along with the halogen, the metal also attaches with this species, while an alkane is formed from that proton attacking the alkyl chain.
The reaction of ethyl magnesium bromide with water is as follows:
${{C}_{2}}{{H}_{5}}MgBr+{{H}_{2}}O\to {{C}_{2}}{{H}_{6}}+MgBrOH$
MgBrOH is formed as a product along with ethane.

Hence, ethane is formed from the reaction of ethyl magnesium bromide and water. So, option A is correct.

Note: MgBrOH is called a basic bromide, which is an intermediate compound. Grignard reagents are formed by the reaction of haloalkane and Mg in the presence of ether. The reactions is, ${{C}_{2}}{{H}_{5}}Br+Mg\xrightarrow{ethoxyethane}{{C}_{2}}{{H}_{5}}MgBr$.