Question

By Wurtz reaction which of the following will give you n- hexane?
A.1-chloro propane
B.2-chloro propane
C.Both of these
D.None of these

Answer 1

Hint: In Wurtz reaction, there is a formation of hydrocarbons by coupling reaction of alkyl halide in the presence of sodium metal. The sodium atom is reacted with the two alkyl halides with dry ether and a higher alkane should be obtained with sodium and halogen atoms. For example, the methyl bromide is reacting with sodium metal in the presence of ether there is a formation of higher alkane, which is ethane.

Complete answer:
The n- hexane can be prepared by using 1-chloro propane. Let’s see the general reaction of Wurtz reaction,
\[2RX + Na\xrightarrow{{Dry\,ether}}R - R + 2NaX\]
Similarly, 1-chloro propane is reacted in the presence of sodium metal and anhydrous dry ether, there is a formation of higher alkane, which is n-hexane. And the reaction can be written as,

Hence, option (A) is correct.
When 2-chloro propane is reacted with sodium metal and dry ether, there is a formation of 2,3-dimethyl butane. Hence, the option (B) is incorrect.
Only, 1-chloro propane gives n-hexane. 2-chloro propane gives 2,3-dimethyl butane by Wurtz reaction. Hence, option (C) is incorrect.
Among the options, 1-chloro propane gives n-hexane. Hence, the option (D) is incorrect.

Hence, option (A) is correct.

Note:
We must have to know that the Wurtz reaction is used for the preparation of higher hydrocarbons by using two same or different alkyl halides with sodium metal and anhydrous ether. During the reaction, two alkyl groups are joined together, forming an alkane with sodium halide which is represented as NaX, and X is any halogen. But the Wurtz reaction is not used for the preparation of odd numbers of carbon. Because, there will be a formation of more than one product.