Why would the alcohol in the following compound need to be protected before reaction?
A)If it isn't protected,the product will be a carboxylic acid.
B)The Grignard reagent will react with the alcohol before the ketone.
C)Magnesium is Lewis acidic and will coordinate with the alcohol.
D)There is no need to protect the alcohol.

Question

Why would the alcohol in the following compound need to be protected before reaction? 
A)If it isn't protected,the product will be a carboxylic acid. 
B)The Grignard reagent will react with the alcohol before the ketone. 
C)Magnesium is Lewis acidic and will coordinate with the alcohol. 
D)There is no need to protect the alcohol.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Grignard reagents are highly reactive and can react with alcohols to form alkoxides. Since the alcohol in the given compound is primary, it is more prone to reacting with the Grignard reagent than the ketone. Therefore, it needs to be protected to prevent unwanted reactions and ensure selective formation of the desired product.

Why Would the Alcohol in the Following Compound Need to Be