Question

identify A in the following reaction A+2Na - dry ether - 2,2,5,5 - Tetramethylhexane + 2NaBr

Answer 1

2,2,5,5-Tetrabromohexane

Answer 2

It's a classic example of Wurtz reaction.

2 R-X + 2 Na → R-R + 2Na-X [in presence of dry ether]

Given, X is bromine(Br) here.

R-R ≡ 2,2,5,5- Tetramethylhexane

OR, CH₃ - C(CH₃)₂ - CH₂ - CH₂ - (CH₂)₂C - CH₃

Thus, R-X will be CH₃ - C(CH₃)₂ - CH₂Br

and the reaction will be;

2 [CH₃ - C(CH₃)₂ - CH₂Br] + 2Na → CH₃ - C(CH₃)₂ - CH₂ - CH₂ - (CH₂)₂C - CH₃ + 2NaBr

So, A ≡ 2 [CH₃ - C(CH₃)₂ - CH₂Br] or 1-Bromo-2,2-dimethylpropane.