Question

The reaction, $RCl+NaI\stackrel{\text{Dry acetone}}{\to }R-I+NaCl\downarrow$ is known as:

• A. Wurtz reaction
• B. Swartz reaction
• C. Finkelstein's reaction
• D. None of the above

Answer 1

The correct option is C Finkelstein's reaction

$R-X+NaI\stackrel{\text{Dry acetone}}{\to }R-I+NaX\downarrow$
where, X = Cl or Br.
This reaction is known as Finkelstein reaction. Finkelstein's reaction is used to prepare alkyl iodides starting from alkyl chlorides and alkyl bromides in presence of NaI in dry acetone.

In Wurtz reaction, higher alkanes are formed from alkyl halide by treating with $Na$ metal in ether.

In Swartz reaction, alkyl fluorides are prepared by the action of heavy metallic (mercurous or antimony) fluorides on corresponding alkyl chloride or bromide.

Thus, option (c) is correct.