A true, clear, single-phase grignard solution (2.5 M) can be directly produced in butyl diglyme. For commercial processes, grignards made with butyl diglyme are safer and more environmentally friendly. This is a result of the high flash point and water insolubility characteristics of butyl diglyme.

The safety of grignard reagents is directly related to the solvent's flash point. Butyl diglyme (BDGL) has a much higher flash point and boiling point than THF and diethyl ether (DEE). Butyl diglyme dramatically reduces the risk of combustion, and its low water miscibility allows attractive new avenues for processing and recycling.

	BDGL	THF	DEE
Boiling Point	256C	66C	34C
Flash Point, TCC	118C	-14C	-45C
Density (g/ml)	0.88	0.89	0.71

The higher boiling point of butyl diglyme also allows for easier reaction initiation at atmospheric pressures.

Butyl diglyme is a saturated polyether with no other functional group and is a relatively inert aprotic polar compound. In water, butyl diglyme is only 0.3% soluble. Water is only 1.4% soluble in butyl diglyme.

Grant produces a full line of glycol diethers (glymes). In addition to butyl diglyme, the other glymes may also be suitable for special grignards. Grant does not commercially produce any glyme solutions of grignard reagents, but will consider producing grignards if the need is there. However, we believe that because of their reactivity, grignards should be produced just before use, and our solvents should make this a more attractive proposition.

Grant offers an 11-page technical brochure on grignard application. For a free copy, either register at this web site or call our customer service department at 225-654-6801.