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Synlett 2004(5): 0912-0913  
DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-820036
SPOTLIGHT
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

MgBr2·OEt2 - A Versatile Reagent in Organic Synthesis

Suresh Kumar Tipparaju*
Division of Organic Chemistry (Synthesis), National Chemical ­Laboratory, Pune - 411 008, India
Fax: +91(20)5893153; e-Mail: tsuresh_kumar@yahoo.com;
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Publication History

Publication Date:
10 March 2004 (online)

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Introduction

Use of magnesium(II) species as Lewis acid catalysts for ­various functional group transformations is well documented. [1] Of these, magnesium halides are the most useful. Ready availability and ease of preparation prompted the frequent use of MgBr2·OEt2 in various organic transformations. The oxophilic and coordinating nature of MgBr2·OEt2 has been demonstrated through its use as a bidentate chelating Lewis acid in a number of chelation-controlled reactions such as cycloadditions, [2] asymmetric aldol reactions, [3] rearrangements, [4] radical additions, [5] [6] ­hydrogen transfer reactions, [7] stereoselective reductions, [8] and anomerizations. [9]

MgBr2·OEt2 is commercially available as a grey solid (mp >300 °C, fp 35 °C). It can be readily prepared by reacting a slight excess of magnesium turnings with 1,2-dibromoethane in anhydrous diethyl ether. [10] The solution can be stored at room temperature for several months and the solid can be stored in a vacuum desiccator for indefinite periods without any loss of ­activity.