Question

wurtz reaction defines

Answer 1

Hello,

The Wurtz reaction, named after Charles-Adolphe Wurtz, is a coupling reaction in organic chemistry, organometallic chemistry and recently inorganic main group polymers, whereby two alkyl halides are reacted with sodium metal in dry ether solution to form a higher alkane: 2R–X + 2Na → R–R + 2Na+X.

Thank You,
Aayush

Answer 2

Hey !!

                   WURTZ REACTION                        

Alkyl halides react with metallic sodium in the presence of dry ether to form alkanes. This reaction is used for the preparation of higher alkanes.

Example :- CH₃Br (Methyl bromide) + 2Na + Br ---- CH₃ --(Dry ether)--> CH₃CH₃ (Ethane) + 2NaBr

Wurtz reaction is only useful for the preparation of alkanes containing even number of carbon atoms and not for the alkanes containing odd number of carbon atoms.

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