MHT CET202522 Apr 2025Morning ShiftChemistryHaloalkanes and HaloarenesActual
Which of the following is NOT obtained when a mixture of chloroethane and 1-chloropropane is treated with sodium metal in dry ether?
Options
- APropane
- BButane
- CPentane
- DHexane
Correct answer
A. Propane
Step-by-step solution
The Wurtz reaction couples alkyl halides with sodium metal in dry ether to form alkanes. With chloroethane and 1-chloropropane, three products form via self-coupling and cross-coupling. Let R₁ = CH₃CH₂ – (ethyl) and R₂ = CH₃CH₂CH₂ – (propyl). Self-coupling of chloroethane yields butane ( C₄H₁₀ ): R₁R₁ = CH₃CH₂CH₂CH₃ . Self-coupling of 1-chloropropane yields hexane ( C₆H₁₄ ): R₂R₂ = CH₃CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₃ . Cross-coupling yields pentane ( C₅H₁₂ ): R₁R₂ = CH₃CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₃ . Propane ( C₃H₈ ) is not formed, as it lacks a co