[kararuth19]

I've been working on my lab for grignard reaction of bromobenzene with benzophenone, and the question is asked why is sodium bicarbonate added, and I'm not sure if it is to precipitate a salt, form an acid.  I feel rather silly, and I can't find a suitable answer in my text book or in my lab manual.  Also, we are asked why do we use petroleum ether, and I still haven't discovered what that even is.  It seems the more I research, the more confused I get.  Can you help me?

Kara

[Azazel]

Petroleum Ether is a mixture of different alkanes ( not ethers ). as why is it, and Sodium Bicarbonate used, I:

a) can't answer precisely, because I am old and stupid , and don't remember it, and would be very happy if I could read the experimental part of the manual to help you.

b) shouldn't answer you because it prevents you from learning (?).

[movies]

With respect to the sodium bicarbonate, think about what possible side products you might get if you were to expose the product to acid.