In wurtz reaction what will happen if two different alkyl halides are taken.?

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Answer

Wurtz Reaction with Different Alkyl Halides

The Wurtz reaction is a chemical reaction that involves the coupling of two alkyl halides to form a new carbon-carbon bond. This reaction is commonly used to synthesize larger hydrocarbons from smaller ones. However, if two different alkyl halides are used in the reaction, the outcome can be more complex.

Reaction Mechanism

The reaction mechanism for the Wurtz reaction involves the formation of a radical intermediate. The alkyl halides are first deprotonated by a strong base, such as sodium or potassium hydroxide, to form alkyl anions. These alkyl anions then undergo a single-electron transfer (SET) reaction with the metal atom to form a radical intermediate.

Outcome with Different Alkyl Halides

If two different alkyl halides are used in the Wurtz reaction, the outcome can be more complex. The reaction can result in the formation of a mixture of products, depending on the relative reactivities of the two alkyl halides and the reaction conditions. Some of the possible outcomes are:

Formation of a mixture of two different products, each containing one of the alkyl groups.

Formation of a single product containing both alkyl groups, if the reaction conditions favor the coupling of the two different radicals.

Formation of oligomers, if the reaction conditions favor the coupling of one of the radicals with itself to form a longer hydrocarbon chain.

Factors Affecting the Outcome

The outcome of the Wurtz reaction with different alkyl halides depends on several factors, including:

The relative reactivities of the two alkyl halides. If one alkyl halide is more reactive than the other, it will be more likely to undergo coupling with the metal atom, leading to the formation of a product containing that alkyl group.

The reaction conditions, such as the type and concentration of the base, the solvent, and the temperature. The reaction conditions can affect the relative reactivities of the alkyl halides and the coupling of the radicals.

The steric hindrance of the alkyl groups. If the alkyl groups are bulky, they may not be able to approach each other for coupling, leading to the formation of oligomers or a mixture of products.

Overall, the Wurtz reaction with different alkyl halides can be a complex process, with the outcome depending on several factors. Careful control of the reaction conditions and the choice of alkyl halides can help to increase the yield of the desired product.

Answer

if 2 different alkyl halides are used to react with metallic sodium in dry ether Sol. , a mixture of 3 different alkanes is produced.Eg.ÇH³Cl and CH³CH²Cl when subjected to wurtz reaction a mix. of three different alkanes is Produced that is propane,ethane and butane.

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