Question

how will you convert ethyl chloride into ethane and n-butane?

Answer 1

ethyl chloride converts into ethane by reacting it with nascent hydrogen. hydrogen atom will replace chlorine atom and will form ethane

By Wurtz reaction.;
 CH3-CH2-Cl + 2Na →CH3CH2CH2CH3 + 2NaCl
it is the reaction done in the presence of dry ether and it will give butane

Answer 2

a) Ethyl chloride reacts with alcoholic KOH to yield ethene that reacts with hydrogen in the presence of Nickel to give ethane.

i) CH3 CH2Cl      ____alc KOH________      H2C = CH2
                                     - HCl
    ethyl chloride                                 ethene

ii) H2C = Ch2 + H2  _____Ni______ H3 C - Ch3
     ethene                                            ethane


b) Ethyl chloride can be converted to n-butane by Wurtz reaction where two molecules of ethyl chloride react with two atoms of sodium in the presence of anhydrous ether to yield a molecule of n- butane.

 
2CH3 CH2 Cl  +  2Na    __amydrous ether___  CH3CH2CH2CH3  +  2NaCl

ethyl chloride                                                           n - butane