Class 11 Chemistry - Chapter Hydrocarbons NCERT Solutions | Why is Wurtz reaction not preferred for

Welcome to the NCERT Solutions for Class 11th Chemistry - Chapter Hydrocarbons. This page offers a step-by-step solution to the specific question from Exercise 1, Question 25: why is wurtz reaction not preferred for the prepar....
Question 25

Why is Wurtz reaction not preferred for the preparation of alkanes containing odd number of carbon atoms? Illustrate your answer by taking one example.

Answer

Wurtz reaction is limited for the synthesis of symmetrical alkanes (i.e., alkanes with an even number of carbon atoms). In this reaction, two similar alkyl halides are taken as reactants and an alkane, containing double the number of carbon atoms, are formed.

Example: Wurtz reaction cannot be used for the preparation of unsymmetrical alkanes because if two dissimilar alkyl halides are considered as the reactants, then a mixture of alkanes is obtained as the products. Since the reaction involves free radical species, a side reaction also occurs to produce an alkene. For example, the reaction of bromomethane and iodoethane gives a mixture of alkanes.

The boiling points of alkanes (obtained in the mixture) are very close. Hence, it becomes difficult to separate them.

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