Why must Grignard reagents be prepared in conditions without oxygen and moisture?

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periodic table with group numbers and the s, p, d, and f blocks — organometallic compound The periodic table of the elements, displaying the group numbers and the s, p, d, and f blocks. Elements in the shaded area are the metals of organometallic chemistry.

Grignard reagents must be prepared in conditions free of oxygen and moisture because they are highly reactive substances that readily decompose when exposed to these elements.1

Specifically, these reagents are very reactive toward oxygen and moisture, which can compromise their chemical integrity. Because Grignard reagents behave similarly to carbanions and act as strong bases and nucleophiles, they react with a wide variety of compounds, including water, alcohols, and acids. To prevent unwanted side reactions and ensure the stability of the reagent, they are typically prepared and stored in an inert atmosphere, such as nitrogen, and kept in inert solvents like diethyl ether.123