Question

Almost. treating an acyl chloride with a grignard reagent tends to form (via two steps) an alcohol. what reagent forms the ketone product but does not react with the ketone?

Answer 1

Reaction of Acyl Halides with Grignard reagent results in the formation of Ketones in first step. While in second step reaction of Grignard reagent with Ketones results in the formation of Tertiary Alcohols.

If you want to stop the reaction at Ketone stage then you are required to use another mild reactive organometallic compound. In our case we will use Organocuprates. Organocuprates are also known as Gilman Reagents. These reagents does not add to ketones, aldehydes and esters but they can add to acid halides to produce Ketones.