Constitution of Grignard reagent RMgCl in tetrahydrofuran

[GRAPHICS] The constitution of Grignard reagent, RMgCl (R = Me, tBu, Ph or benzyl), was investigated in the solid state by means of X-ray crystallography and in THF by coldspray ionization mass spectrometry (CSI-MS), Three types of crystal structures, (a) [Mg-2(mu -Cl-3)(THF)(6)]+. [RMgCl2(THF)](-), (b) R2Mg4Cl6(THF)(6), and (c) [2Mg(2)(mu -Cl-3)(THF)(6)](+.)[R4Mg2Cl2](2-), were identified, and MeMg2(mu -Cl-3)(THF)(4-6) were detected as major species of MeMgCl in solution.