N-Butylmagnesium bromide is used in pharmaceutical preparations and as a reagent in organic synthesis. The compound reacts with hydroxyl groups to form ethers and methyl ketones, which are useful in organic chemistry. N-Butylmagnesium bromide also reacts with fatty acids and aromatic hydrocarbons to form esters and ethers, respectively. N-Butylmagnesium bromide has demonstrated high sensitivity for the detection of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) RNA, and is used in the isolation of HBV DNA from plasma samples. The compound has also been used as a catalyst in polymerisation reactions and as an excellent solid catalyst for olefin hydrogenation.
