Question

Conversion of methyl chloride into methyl fluoride is known as:
(A) Finkelstein reaction
(B) Swarts reaction
(C) Williamsons synthesis
(D) Wurtz reaction

Answer 1

Hint: The conversion of methyl chloride to methyl fluoride is done in presence of metallic fluoride. The preparation of methyl fluoride is a type of nucleophilic substitution reaction. The nucleophilic substitution reaction is a type of reaction in which an electron rich compound (nucleophile) replaces a leaving group.

Complete step by step solution:
Before solving the question let's understand each and every reaction given in the options:
-Finkelstein reaction- it is a $S{{N}_{2}}$ reaction in which the halogen atom which is a good leaving group is replaced by another halogen atom which acts as a nucleophile.
-Swarts reaction- this reaction is generally used to get alkyl fluoride from the reaction of alkyl bromide in the presence of metallic fluoride. This conversion is done by heating the alkyl fluoride in the presence of fluoride of some heavy metals.
-Williamson synthesis- it is an organic reaction in which ether is formed from the reaction of organo halides and a deprotonated alcohol also known as alkoxide.
-Wurtz reaction- it is an organic reaction in which the sodium metal reacts with two alkyl halides in the presence of dry ether. The product form is a higher alkane along with the compound containing halogen and sodium.

From the above explanation we can say that the Conversion of methyl chloride into methyl fluoride is known as swarts reaction. The reaction involved is-
\[C{{H}_{3}}-Cl+AgF\xrightarrow{AgF}C{{H}_{3}}-F+Ag\]

Note: Do not get confused between the finkelstein and swarts reaction as both of them have different products, the end product formed in the finkelstein reaction is alkyl iodide and the end product form in swarts reaction is alkyl fluoride.