Organometallic species carbon donors

If a metal-carbon (or metal-nitrogen) bond is quenched by a strong proton donor such as methanol or hydrochloric acid, the original reactivity potential is completely lost. The neutralization of the organometallic species is diffusion controlled under such circumstances. The same is the case with an alcohol or an amine such as diisopropyamine. As a rule, OH and NH containing compounds are stronger acids than hydrocarbons. Their deprotonation is quantitative and instantaneous (<1 s) even at dry-ice temperatures (-75 °C). ... 

Organohthium and organomagnesium compounds are stable species when prepared m suitable solvents such as diethyl ether They are strongly basic however and react instantly with proton donors even as weakly acidic as water and alcohols A proton is transferred from the hydroxyl group to the negatively polarized carbon of the organometallic compound to form a hydrocarbon... 

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