A YouTube-style demonstration of Grignard reactions using an intentionally crude, improvised setup ("ghetto style Grignard") with dirty reagents and non-laboratory glassware. The video shows forming methylmagnesium iodide from magnesium and methyl iodide in diethyl ether, noting that methyl Grignard can tolerate some poor practices but more sensitive reagents require purity. It tests the reaction’s interaction with water to illustrate that Grignard reagents are strong bases and highly reactive. An improvised reaction is conducted in a brandy bottle, with a DIY reflux condenser built from gel packs, aiming to react the Grignard with cyclohexanone. After slow initial progress, more methyl iodide is added and the reaction becomes vigorous; cooling and ventilation are used to manage the exotherm. The mixture is worked up by quenching with water and acid, and attempting phase separation with a pastry piping bag. The crude product is isolated as a white crystalline solid, identified as 1-methylcyclohexanol (a tertiary alcohol) with a strong menthol-like aroma, but only a small yield (~4% of starting cyclohexanone). The video emphasizes that such setups are not recommended and that proper care, temperature control, and equipment are essential, though the exercise was a fun challenge.
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