The Gilman test is a chemical test for the detection of Grignard reagents and organolithium reagents. [1] [2]
The Gilman reagent "is an organometallic compound used in organic chemistry for the formation of carbon-carbon bonds through coupling reactions. It is a powerful tool in the synthesis of complex organic molecules." [3]
A 0.5 mL sample is added to a 1% solution of Mischler's ketone in benzene or toluene. To this solution is added 1 mL of water for hydrolysis to take place and then several drops of 0.2% iodine in glacial acetic acid. If the color of the resulting solution becomes a greenish-blue then the original sample did contain the organometallic species.