Question

Write chemical equation of Wurtz reaction.

Answer 1

The Wurtz reaction, named after Charles Adolphe Wurtz, is a coupling reaction whereby two alkyl halides are reacted with sodium metal in dry ether solution to form a higher alkane:

$\text{General reaction:}$

$R-X+2Na+X-R\stackrel{\text{D}ryEther}{\to }\underset{\left[Alkane\right]}{R-R}+2NaX$

$Ex.2C{H}_3-C{H}_2-Br\underset{Na}{\overset{DryEther}{\to }}C{H}_3-\underset{(n-butane)}{C{H}_2-C{H}_2}-C{H}_3$