Question

Write Wurtz reaction for Ethyl bromide. Write Swartz reaction for Methyl chloride.​

Answer 1

Answer:

(a) Wurtz reaction

Alkyl halides react with sodium in presence of dry ether to form higher alkanes. For example, methyl bromide reacts with sodium in presence of dry ether to form ethane.

CH3−Br+2Na+Br−CH3dry etherCH3−CH3+2NaBr

Swarts reaction used to prepare alkyl fluorides by using reagents like Hg2F2,SbF5

CH3−Cl⟶SbF5CH3−F

Answer 2

Answer:

Wurtz reaction is used for the preparation of higher alkanes from ethyl bromide and Swartz reaction is used mainly to get alkyl fluorides from alkyl chloride or alkyl bromide.

Explanation:

Wurtz reaction

When alkyl halides are heated with metallic sodium in dry ether to give higher alkanes.

                     $2RX + 2Na$  →  $R.R + 2NaX$

           $C_{2}H_{5}.Br + 2Na +Br.C_{2}H_{5}$  → $C_{2} H_{5}.C_{2} H_{5} + 2NaBr$

If two different haloalkenes are used, then a mixture of alkanes will be obtained.

Example:    $CH_{3}Br +2Na + Br-C_{2}H_{5}$  →  $CH_{3}-C_{2}H_{5} + 2NaBr$

Swartz Reaction

The Swartz reaction is generally used to get alkyl fluorides from alkyl chlorides or alkyl bromides. When alkyl chloride or alky bromide is heated in the presence of fluoride of some heavy metals to give alkyl fluoride.

                   $CH_{3}-Br + AgF$  → $CH_{3}F + AgBr$

                       $CH{3}-Cl + SbF_{3}$  →  $CH_{3}F$