Question

Wurtz reaction involves the reduction of alkyl halide with ?
A.\[Zn,HCl\]
B.\[HI\]
C.\[Zn,Cu{\text{ couple}}\]
D.\[Na{\text{ in ether}}\]

Answer 1

Hint: Coupling reaction is one of the oldest reactions in organic chemistry. It is also known to be the first named reaction. This reaction is used in the production of symmetrical alkanes and it involves the exchange of metals and halogens in the presence of radicals.

Complete answer:
The Wurtz reaction is a coupling reaction of organic chemistry and is named after the scientist Charles Adolphe Wurtz.
Now, let’s understand the Wurtz reaction in a little more detail:
So, Wurtz reaction is, in which two alkyl halides react with sodium metal in the presence of dry ether and results in the production of symmetrical alkane.
The product alkane formed is higher alkane than the alkane used in the reactants, as two alkyl group forms bond with each other by the replacement of the halogen atom.
For, better understanding of the reaction, have a look at the general equation representing the Wurtz coupling reaction.
\[R - X + 2Na + X - {R'} \to R - {R'} + 2NaX\]
Here, \[R\] and \[{R'}\] are two alkyl groups
X is the halogen atom
So, we can easily see that, in the above reaction, symmetrical alkane is formed by the reduction of alkyl halide with sodium in the presence of dry ether.
Also, with the production of symmetrical alkane, sodium halide is also produced as a by-product.
Therefore, on the basis of our above discussion, the correct option is D.
Thus, Wurtz reaction involves the reduction of alkyl halide with\[Na\], sodium in ether.
Therefore the correct answer is option D.

Note:
Wurtz reactions have some limitations also. One of them is that the wurtz reaction is used only for the production of symmetrical alkanes i.e. unsymmetrical alkanes cannot be produced through this reaction.