[bluemondaygurl]

Why is it that a Grignard reagent cannot be used with beta-hydroxy ketones? A few classmates and I have looked throughout our book and cannot not find beta-hydroxy ketones anywhere. We know that carbonyl groups and when hydrogen is connected with Oxygen or Nitrogen they would decompose the Grignard reagent and the reaction must take place with dry ether, is this what the question is looking for? The terminology that is used for out outcome list is confusing and not in the text book, I just want to make sure if our train of thought is correct or not. Thanks!

[Mitch]

When you read hydroxyl, regardless of structure this means there is an -OH group somewhere on the molecule. Your book should say what highly exothermic reaction occurs with griniards and OH groups.