Question

A mixture of 1-iodoethane and 1-iodopropane is treated with sodium metal and dry ether to carry out Wurtz reaction. Which of the following hydrocarbons will be formed?

• A. Propane + Hexane
• B. Ethane + Propane
• C. Butane + Propane
• D. Butane + Pentane + Hexane

Answer 1

The correct option is D Butane + Pentane + Hexane

In Wurtz reaction, if two different alkyl halides are treated with sodium metal in presence of dry ether then a mixture of three different products is obtained.

Thus, when a mixture of 1-iodoethane and 1-iodopropane is treated with sodium metal and dry ether, butane, pentane, and hexane will be obtained.

$\underset{1-iodoethane}{C{H}_{3}C{H}_{2}I}+\underset{1-iodoethane}{IC{H}_{2}C{H}_3}\underset{-2NaI}{\overset{Na}{\to }}\underset{Butane}{C{H}_{3}C{H}_{2}C{H}_{2}C{H}_3}$

$\underset{1-iodoethane}{C{H}_{3}C{H}_{2}I}+\underset{1-iodopropane}{IC{H}_{2}C{H}_{2}C{H}_3}\underset{-2NaI}{\overset{Na}{\to }}\underset{Pentane}{C{H}_{3}C{H}_{2}C{H}_{2}C{H}_{2}C{H}_3}$

$\underset{1-iodopropane}{C{H}_{3}C{H}_{2}C{H}_{2}I}+\underset{1-iodopropane}{IC{H}_{2}C{H}_{2}C{H}_3}\underset{-2NaI}{\overset{Na}{\to }}\underset{Hexane}{C{H}_{3}C{H}_{2}C{H}_{2}C{H}_{2}C{H}_{2}C{H}_3}$