MHT CET Chemistry Question (2026) — Solution

Step-by-step solution

Grignard reagents (RMgX) are highly reactive compounds that act as strong bases and nucleophiles. Solvents with acidic protons, such as alcohols and phenols, react with Grignard reagents to form alkanes, thereby destroying the reagent. Similarly, solvents with electrophilic carbonyl groups, such as ketones, undergo nucleophilic addition with Grignard reagents. Ether is an aprotic solvent that does not react with Grignard reagents. Furthermore, the lone pairs of electrons on the oxygen atom of ether coordinate with the electron-deficient magnesium atom, stabilizing the reagent. Therefore, ether is the suitable solvent for Grignard reagents.