Question

when bromoethane is subjected to wurtz reaction , then how will the mixture so obtained consists of ethane and ethene

Answer 1

Dear Student,

Wurtz reaction id a single-electron transfer reaction. Here free radical mechanism takes place. The mechanism of Wurtz reaction of bromoethane is :
$$\begin{gathered} {\mathrm{C}}_2{\mathrm{H}}_5-\mathrm{Br}+\mathrm{Na}°\to {\mathrm{C}}_2{\mathrm{H}}_5°+\mathrm{NaBr} \\ {\mathrm{C}}_2{\mathrm{H}}_5°+{\mathrm{C}}_2{\mathrm{H}}_5°\to {\mathrm{C}}_2{\mathrm{H}}_5-{\mathrm{C}}_2{\mathrm{H}}_5 \\ {\mathrm{C}}_2{\mathrm{H}}_5°+{\mathrm{C}}_2{\mathrm{H}}_5°\to {\mathrm{C}}_2{\mathrm{H}}_6+{\mathrm{C}}_2{\mathrm{H}}_4 \end{gathered}$$
Therefore, ethane and ethene are also formed alongwith n-butane.