GRIGNARD, (FRANCOIS AUGUSTE VICTOR). - DISCOVERY OF THE GRIGNARD REACTION.

Sur quelques nouvelles combinaisons organométalliques du magnesium et leur application à des Synthèses d'alcools et d'hydrocarbures.

(Paris, Gauthier-Villars), 1900. 4to. No wrappers. In: "Comptes Rendus Hebdomadaires des Séances de L'Academie des Sciences", Tome 130, No 20. Pp. (1285-) 1344. (Entire issue offered). Grignard's paper: pp. 1322-24. One leaf repaired in upper margin affecting the text on verso (but without loss of letters). Light browning, poor paperquality.

First apperance of an importent paper in which Grignard revealed the "Grignard Reagent", an important means of preparing organic compounds from smaller precursor molecules. For this work, Grignard was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1912 jointly with fellow Frenchman Paul Sabatier.

"A large number of general synthetic methods had been developed by the end of the nineteenth century. However, one of the most versatile and importent was first described as the new century opened. This was the Grignard synthesis." (Leicester "A Source book in Chemistry 1900-1950", where this paper is translated "Some New Organometallic Compounds of Magnesium and Their Application to the Synthesis ofAlchohols and Hydrocarbons").

"Grignard treated magnesium turnings in anhydrous ether with methyl iodide at room temperature, preparing what came to be known as the Grignard reagent, which could be used for reaction with a ketone or an aldehyde without first being isolated. On hydrolyzing with dilute acid, the corresponding tertiary or secondary alcohol was produced in much better yield than Barbier had been able to obtain. Grignard’s discovery was reported in a short paper at a meeting of the Académie des Sciences in May 1900 (the paper offered)." (DSB).

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