How to Figure out Wurtz Reaction Products – Part 1

Wurtz reaction is a reductive coupling reaction in which two haloalkanes or alkyl halides are (normally) heated with Sodium metal in the presence of dry ether to form a higher alkane.


The yields are low especially when two (or more) different haloalkanes are used or the free-radical intermediate undergoes resonance. Exceptions are some intramolecular versions.

A related reaction, which combines haloalkanes with haloarenes (or aryl halides), is referred to as the Wurtz–Fittig reaction as it is known as the Fittig reaction when two haloarenes are coupled.

Question:

Predict the products of the following reactions:



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Solution infographic:



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Villainous Wurtz reactions❓ Let Chemaficionado know in the comments below or at mychemistryhomework@gmail.com❗

References:

(1)    Wikipedia Contributors. Wurtz reaction. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wurtz_reaction.

‌(2) Ncert. Chemistry : Textbook for Class XI - Part.II; National Council Of Educational Research And Training: New Delhi.

(3)    Graham, T. W.; Fryhle, C. B.; Snyder, S. A. Organic Chemistry.; Hoboken, Nj John Wiley Et Sons, Inc, 2016.

(4)    Brown, C.; Ford, M. Higher Level Chemistry, 2nd ed.; Pearson Education: Harlow, Essex, 2014.

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