At the time this work was begun, there was some confusion about the technique necessary for the successful synthesis of organomagnesium compounds in hydrocarbon solvents and without solvents. It was decided to repeat the work of Bryce-Smith and Zakharkin. Thus began the study of the synthesis of organomagnesium compounds without solvents; the study of the reaction products of these organomagnesium compounds in hydrocarbons plus 2-butanone compared to the reaction products of the corresponding etheral Grignard reagent plus 2-butanone; and a preliminary study of the nature of these organomagnesium compounds in hydrocarbon solvents.

From a review of the published work in the field of cycloadditions, it is evident that further research is needed to establish the mechanism of ketene cycloadditions. This work was initiated with the intent of obtaining kinetic data which will contribute to the elucidation of the mechanism of ketene cycloadditions.