[Slender]

In the reaction of n-docecylmagnesium bromide (1M solution in Et2O) in with aldehydes we usually obtain not negligible amounts of n-dodecanol.
This happens even with a freshly opened reagent, so we can rule out the presence of the corresponding alkoxide formed by oxidation after prolonged storage.
Any idea to account for the formation of the alcohol?
Thanks

[Dan]

Oxygen in your flask - ether in the atmosphere or dissolved in any additional solvent you are adding.