UrbanPro

Location Set your Location

Login Ask & Answer Success Stories Paid Courses Free Classes Tuition & Classes Fees Write a Review All Categories Help Center
Post your Learning Need Signup as a Tutor
✕

Popular Cities

Bangalore

Hyderabad

Delhi

Mumbai

Chennai

Pune

Kolkata

Gurgaon

Ahmedabad

Jaipur

Noida

✕

Take Class 12 Tuition from the Best Tutors

  • Affordable fees
  • 1-1 or Group class
  • Flexible Timings
  • Verified Tutors

Book a Free Demo

Class 12 Tuition > Learn Class XI-XII Tuition (PUC) > Why, Wurtz reaction is limited to the synthesis of...
✕

Search in

Why, Wurtz reaction is limited to the synthesis of symmetric alkanes ?

Asked by Last Modified  

29 Answers

Learn Class XI-XII Tuition (PUC)

Follow 3
Answer

Please enter your answer

Chemistry Wizard/English Expert

Because the product will be a mixture of alkanes which is difficult to separate.For unsymmetrical alkane use COREY HOUSE Reaction
Comments
Dislike Bookmark

Physics and Maths made easy

Wurtz reaction can also be used for the reaction of 2 different alkyl halides. But there will be 3 different products formed due to 3 different possible reactions that occur. For example consider iodomethane (CH3-I) and iodoethane (CH3-CH2-I) and you want to prepare propane by Wurtz reaction then these...
read more
Wurtz reaction can also be used for the reaction of 2 different alkyl halides. But there will be 3 different products formed due to 3 different possible reactions that occur. For example consider iodomethane (CH3-I) and iodoethane (CH3-CH2-I) and you want to prepare propane by Wurtz reaction then these reactions will take place: CH3-I + 2Na + I-CH2-CH3 -----> CH3-CH2-CH3 + 2NaI CH3-I + 2Na + I-CH3 -----> CH3-CH3 + 2NaI CH3-CH2-I + 2Na + I-CH2-CH3 ------> CH3-CH2-CH2-CH3 + 2NaI The products formed ( propane, ethane and butane ) have very less difference in their boiling points. Therefore it will be difficult to separate the products with fractional distillation. It is because of this reason that only symmetrical alkanes are generally synthesized using wurtz reaction. read less
Comments
Dislike Bookmark

Tutor

Mechanism of the simple Wurtz reaction. R---X + 2Na -----> (R)-(Na)+ this (R)- joins the 'R' from another R----X molecule and the (Na) joins the X part giving R----R + NaX. Thus you are able to create only symmetric alkanes. If you use two different alkyl halides then a mixture with small percentage...
read more
Mechanism of the simple Wurtz reaction. R---X + 2Na -----> (R)-(Na)+ this (R)- joins the 'R' from another R----X molecule and the (Na) joins the X part giving R----R + NaX. Thus you are able to create only symmetric alkanes. If you use two different alkyl halides then a mixture with small percentage of unsymmetric alkanes are produced but because of their very similar boiling points and their physical properties they cannot be separated and thus Wurtz reaction is not good for producing unsymmetric alkanes. read less
Comments
Dislike Bookmark

In Wurtz reaction, two alkyl halide molecules are coupled in presence of sodium metal in anhydrous ether or Tetrahydrofuran to form a new carbon carbon bond and thus by giving a symmetrical alkane. Dry Ether R-X + 2Na + X-R -----------------> R-R + 2NaX Where X = halogen * The Wurtz reaction must...
read more
In Wurtz reaction, two alkyl halide molecules are coupled in presence of sodium metal in anhydrous ether or Tetrahydrofuran to form a new carbon carbon bond and thus by giving a symmetrical alkane. Dry Ether R-X + 2Na + X-R -----------------> R-R + 2NaX Where X=halogen * The Wurtz reaction must be performed under anhydrous conditions because the alkyl free radical formed (see the mechanism) during the reaction is strongly basic and can abstract proton from water. * In case of alkyl and aryl fluorides as well as aryl chlorides, tetrahydrofuran is used as solvent instead of ether. * The Wurtz reaction is limited to synthesis of symmetrical alkanes with even number of carbon atoms only. The number of carbons in the alkane is double that of alkyl halide (n ---> 2n type reaction) * If dissimilar alky halides are used, a mixture of alkanes is formed. It is usually difficult to separate the mixture and hence wurtz reaction not a suitable method to synthesize unsymmetrical alkanes. E.g. The Wurtz reaction between R-X and R'-X yields not only R-R' but also R-R and R'-R'. This mixture cannot be separated easily. * Methane cannot be prepared by this method. * A modification of this reaction involving alkyl and aryl halides is called Wurtz-Fittig reaction. If only aryl halides are subjected to coupling, the reaction is called as Fittig reaction. read less
Comments
Dislike Bookmark

Chemistry Tutor

if two different alkyl halogens are reacting with Na, then the formation of two or more alkanes may form, since its due to formation of two different radicals and it is also noted that the formed products (Alkanes) are very closed billing points, hence its difficult to separate from the mixture.
Comments
Dislike Bookmark

B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D, MBA (Finance and Marketing)

In wurtz reaction if take a single haloalkane as reactant it gives symmetric alkanes but if two or more different haloalkanes r taken it results in mixture of alkanes (symmetric and asymmetric) and they r difficult to separate even through fractional distillation. Becoz they form azeotropic mixture...
Comments
Dislike Bookmark

Chemistry for CBSE,STAE ,ISC AND IIT-JEE,MH-CET,PMT and all other level +12 competitive level exam.

If we use the unsymmetrical alkyle halide their is probability to formation of byproducts which is very difficult to separate from reaction mix,as the boiling point of these product is very similar.
Comments
Dislike Bookmark

Engineer

The Wurtz reaction is limited to synthesis of symmetrical alkanes with even number of carbon atoms only. The number of carbons in the alkane is double that of alkyl halide (n ---> 2n type reaction) If dissimilar alky halides are used, a mixture of alkanes is formed. It is usually difficult to separate...
read more
The Wurtz reaction is limited to synthesis of symmetrical alkanes with even number of carbon atoms only. The number of carbons in the alkane is double that of alkyl halide (n ---> 2n type reaction) If dissimilar alky halides are used, a mixture of alkanes is formed. It is usually difficult to separate the mixture and hence wurtz reaction not a suitable method to synthesize unsymmetrical alkanes. read less
Comments
Dislike Bookmark

Msc

this is known as one of the drawbacks of Wurtz reaction.The reasons are- 1. If assymetrical alkanes are used with odd numer of carbon atoms they react with each other as well as among themselves producing a mixture of three alkanes.Example- CH3-I + 2Na + I-CH2-CH3 -----> CH3-CH2-CH3 + 2NaI CH3-I...
read more
this is known as one of the drawbacks of Wurtz reaction.The reasons are- 1. If assymetrical alkanes are used with odd numer of carbon atoms they react with each other as well as among themselves producing a mixture of three alkanes.Example- CH3-I + 2Na + I-CH2-CH3 -----> CH3-CH2-CH3 + 2NaI CH3-I + 2Na + I-CH3 -----> CH3-CH3 + 2NaI CH3-CH2-I + 2Na + I-CH2-CH3 ------> CH3-CH2-CH2-CH3 + 2NaI 2. Moreover these alkanes cannot be separated (as they have high boiling points) by fractional distillation. Hope this will help you. read less
1 Comments
Dislike Bookmark

B.Tech From IIT Kanpur, Good at Maths and Chemistry, wanna give back what i learnt

The usefulness of the reaction is limited to synthesis of symmetrical alkanes (which must have even numbers of C atoms by definition) because if two different halides are used a mixture of all three possible products is formed so reducing the yield but also these mixtures can be difficult to seperate...
Comments
Dislike Bookmark

View 27 more Answers

Related Questions

Are comprehension type Questions there in the history question papers of class XII CBSE?
No there is no any comprehension type questions in the history question papers of class XII CBSE.
Sangeeta Sahay
While comparing magnetic field and electric circuits, the point of dissimilarity exists while considering a.) mmf and emf. b.) reluctance and resistance. c.) flux and current flow. d.) permeance and conductance.
Option C. flux and current flow.
Kumar Upendra Akshay
0 0
8
I was enrolled to a coaching for 11th and 12th standard. Due to my low performance in JEE advanced I want to give 1 more year to prep. I have all the study material. I am planning to just solve that and join test series. But the problem is how to get my doubts cleared? And will this strategy work?
you can look out for online tutors who can clear your doubts. Also there are many online forums available that can help you with the same. Look out for tricks that are available on Youtube. you can also opt for online test series.
Priyanshu
How to create any files in MySQL?
Question is misleading we can't create files in MySQL however we can take a dump of database and store it in a sql file or we can also query database and whose result we can store in a file.
Nitesh
2 1
6

What will be the fees of Computer Science & Application for Class-XI-XII (all board).
Hello friend, Rs 1000/- hr. Intent is not only completing the syllabus, making student to understand and follow the subject. So that, they can perform good in the exams. Periodical test will be conducted...
Sandipan Saha

Now ask question in any of the 1000+ Categories, and get Answers from Tutors and Trainers on UrbanPro.com

Ask a Question

Related Lessons

Key to Success in Mathematics
Following are keys to success in any mathematics exam: 1. Learn how formulas are derived. 2. Types of Interpretations of formulas. 3. Selected Examples to represent types of problems. 4. Good books...

Nilaish

0 0
0
Problem on limits
Let's solve a problem on limits Find limit: x→0 (1 - cos2x ) /(x²) On direct substitution we get 1 - 1/0 = 0/0 which is in indeterminate form Let's substitute (1 - cos 2x ) = 2 sin²...

B.Sudhakar

3 0
0
KEY TO SUCCESS
Positive thinking make your energy and your environment positive.Sometimes we are facing many problems simultaneously and some problems which are unexpected, we should be calm and try to solve them by...
M

Mohit S.

2 0
0
For IIT/NEET Aspirants Class 12 Chemistry - Reactivity Of Complexes With Hcl
More the electron density on the metal more will be the rate of oxidative addition. And hence increases the reactivity of complexes with HCL.

Nidhi T.

0 0
0
Chapter -1 Partnership Firms Basics.
CHAPTER 1 Accounting for Partnership Firms Fundamentals According to Section4 of the Indian Partnership Act, 1932: "Partnership is the relationship between persons who have agreed to the share the profits...

Mahesh Kumar

0 0
0

Recommended Articles

Meet Swati, a Hindi Tutor from Bangalore

Swati is a renowned Hindi tutor with 7 years of experience in teaching. She conducts classes for various students ranging from class 6- class 12 and also BA students. Having pursued her education at Madras University where she did her Masters in Hindi, Swati knows her way around students. She believes that each student...

Read full article >

Meet Raghunandan.G.H, a B. Tech Tutor from...

Raghunandan is a passionate teacher with a decade of teaching experience. Being a skilled trainer with extensive knowledge, he provides high-quality BTech, Class 10 and Class 12 tuition classes. His methods of teaching with real-time examples makes difficult topics simple to understand. He explains every concept in-detail...

Read full article >

Meet Urmila, an MBBS tutor from Bangalore

Urmila is a passionate teacher with over 8 years of experience in teaching. She is currently pursuing her Ph. D. She provides classes for Class 11, Class 12, MBBS and Medical tuition.  Urmila began her career in teaching long before she became a teacher. She used to provide classes for foreign national students in her college...

Read full article >

Meet Mohammad Wazid, a skilled trainer for...

Mohammad Wazid is a certified professional tutor for class 11 students. He has 6 years of teaching experience which he couples with an energetic attitude and a vision of making any subject easy for the students. Over the years he has developed skills with a capability of understanding the requirements of the students. This...

Read full article >

Find Class 12 Tuition near you
Class 12 Tuition in Delhi
Class 12 Tuition in Bangalore
Class 12 Tuition in Hyderabad
Class 12 Tuition in Kolkata
Class 12 Tuition in Mumbai
Class 12 Tuition in Chennai
Class 12 Tuition in Pune
Class 12 Tuition in Jaipur
Class 12 Tuition in Lucknow
Class 12 Tuition in Noida

Looking for Class 12 Tuition ?

Learn from the Best Tutors on UrbanPro

Are you a Tutor or Training Institute?

Join UrbanPro Today to find students near you
X

Looking for Class 12 Tuition Classes?

The best tutors for Class 12 Tuition Classes are on UrbanPro

  • Select the best Tutor
  • Book & Attend a Free Demo
  • Pay and start Learning

Take Class 12 Tuition with the Best Tutors

The best Tutors for Class 12 Tuition Classes are on UrbanPro

This website uses cookies

We use cookies to improve user experience. Choose what cookies you allow us to use. You can read more about our Cookie Policy in our Privacy Policy

Accept All
Decline All

UrbanPro.com is India's largest network of most trusted tutors and institutes. Over 55 lakh students rely on UrbanPro.com, to fulfill their learning requirements across 1,000+ categories. Using UrbanPro.com, parents, and students can compare multiple Tutors and Institutes and choose the one that best suits their requirements. More than 7.5 lakh verified Tutors and Institutes are helping millions of students every day and growing their tutoring business on UrbanPro.com. Whether you are looking for a tutor to learn mathematics, a German language trainer to brush up your German language skills or an institute to upgrade your IT skills, we have got the best selection of Tutors and Training Institutes for you. Read more

ThinkVidya Learning Pvt Ltd © 2010-2024All Rights Reserved