Question

What will happen if two different alkyl halides are taken in wurtz reaction?

Answer 1

If two different alkyl halides are used in Wurtz reaction to prepare an alkane with odd number of carbon atoms, a mixture of three alkanes is actually produced. The reason is that the two alkyl halides, in addition to reacting with each other also react among themselves giving a mixture of three alkanes. The boiling point of these alkanes are very close as molecular mass is almost same and hence they cannot be separated by fractional distillation. It is because of this drawback that Wurtz reaction is used for synthesis of symmetrical alkanes and not for the preparation of unsymmetrical alkanes.

Answer 2

Two different alkyl halides in wurtz reaction:

• Produces alkane with odd number carbon
• Single alkane cannot be produced
• Three alkanes are produced which forms a mixture and it is very difficult to separate the three compounds.
• This is because three reactions are taking place in this mixture.
• For example: When methyl chloride and ethyl chloride produced ethane, propane, and butane. Three compounds are clubbed as single compound and they cannot be separated. This mixture is critical to segregate.