Alkyl halides react with metallic sodium in ether. The reaction is known as?

Appeared in: KPSC Staff Nurse - 2016

Explanation

The reaction described, involving alkyl halides, metallic sodium, and ether, is the definition of the Wurtz reaction.
This reaction is a classic method for coupling two alkyl groups to form a new, longer carbon chain, specifically a symmetrical alkane.
The general form of the reaction is 2 R-X + 2 Na → R-R + 2 NaX, where R is an alkyl group and X is a halogen.
Dry ether is used as the solvent because sodium reacts violently with water.

Option A: The Sandmeyer reaction does not use alkyl halides or sodium. It is a method to synthesize aryl halides from aryl diazonium salts using copper(I) salts as a catalyst.
Option C: The Wurtz-Fittig reaction is a modification that uses a mixture of an alkyl halide and an aryl halide, not just alkyl halides.
Option D: The Fittig reaction is analogous to the Wurtz reaction but specifically uses aryl halides instead of alkyl halides to produce biaryl compounds.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Named reactions in organic chemistry involving the coupling of halides as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
While a pure chemistry concept, understanding fundamental organic reactions like the Wurtz reaction is crucial for medicinal chemistry and pharmacology, as these reactions form the basis for synthesizing more complex drug molecules.
The principles of carbon-carbon bond formation are applied in the industrial synthesis of many pharmaceutical agents and other important organic compounds.
What if? If the reactant was an aryl halide (e.g., chlorobenzene) instead of an alkyl halide, the reaction would be the Fittig reaction, and the product would be a biaryl compound (e.g., biphenyl).

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key components of the reaction mentioned in the question: the reactants (alkyl halides) and the reagents (metallic sodium in ether).
Next, recall the definitions of the named reactions provided in the options.
Compare the reactants and reagents from the question to the definitions of each reaction.
The Wurtz reaction specifically involves the coupling of two alkyl halides using sodium in ether.
The Fittig reaction involves aryl halides, the Wurtz-Fittig involves a mixture of both, and the Sandmeyer reaction uses entirely different reagents (diazonium salts and copper salts).
Select the option that perfectly matches the described reaction conditions.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Named reactions in organic chemistry involving the coupling of halides.
Stem keywords: Alkyl halides, metallic sodium, ether
Lead-in keywords: reaction is known as

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Practise the full KPSC Staff Nurse - 2016

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.