The very reactivity that makes the Grignard reaction so flexible also proves to be its biggest weakness. Grignard reagents are so reactive that low yields and/or mixtures are often obtained unless the chemist is extremely careful in choosing the reaction conditions. Intramolecular reactions are common if another electrophilic site is present on the same molecule. In addition, even traces of water or other solvents can result in products other than those intended.
Synthetic issues aside, there is one very big safety issue when using Grignard reagents, the common use of diethyl ether as the solvent. Consider that the boiling point of diethyl ether is 35 °C while your hands are normally about 37 °C. As you can see, simply holding a container of diethyl ether in your hands is enough to cause it to boil. That is why it is absolutely imperative that NO FLAMES are allowed in the lab during this experiment! Also run the reaction under your snorkel hoods to minimize ether vapors in the lab.