0

Guest

Courses New

What will happen if 2 alkyl hallides are taken in a wurtz reaction

What will happen if 2 alkyl hallides are taken in a wurtz reaction

Grade:11

1 Answers

Arun
25750 Points
6 years ago
if two different alkyl halides are used in Wurtz reaction to prepare an alkane with odd number of carbon atoms ,...a mixture of three alkanes is actually produced...this is due to the reason that the two alkyli halides in addition to reacting with each other also react among themselves giving a mixture of three alkanes... 
for example consider iodomethane (CH3-I) and iodoethane (CH3-CH2-I) and you want to prepare propane by Wurtz reaction then these reactions will take place: 
CH3-I + 2Na + I-CH2-CH3 -----> CH3-CH2-CH3 + 2NaI 
CH3-I + 2Na + I-CH3 -----> CH3-CH3 + 2NaI 
CH3-CH2-I + 2Na + I-CH2-CH3 ------> CH3-CH2-CH2-CH3 + 2NaI 

the boiling point of these alkanes are very close(as molecular mass is almost same) and hence they cannot be separated by fractional distillation ...it is because of this drawback that Wurtz reaction is used for synthesis of only symmetrical alkanes and not for preparation of unsymmetrical alkanes i.e. alkanes containing odd number of carbon atoms

Think You Can Provide A Better Answer ?

Other Related Questions on Organic Chemistry

View all Questions »

ASK QUESTION

Get your questions answered by the expert for free

Answer and earn gift vouchers

Win Gift vouchers upto Rs 500/-

View courses by askIITians

Design classes One-on-One in your own way with Top IITians/Medical Professionals

Click Here Know More

Complete Self Study Package designed by Industry Leading Experts

Click Here Know More

Live 1-1 coding classes to unleash the Creator in your Child

Click Here Know More

a Complete All-in-One Study package Fully Loaded inside a Tablet!

Click Here Know More