Which of the following alkanes is NOT obtained when a mixture of ethyl iodide and n-propyl iodide is subjected to Wurtz reaction?

Step-by-step solution

In the Wurtz reaction, alkyl halides react with sodium in dry ether to form alkanes through the coupling of alkyl radicals. The given mixture contains ethyl iodide ( C₂H₅I ) and n-propyl iodide ( C₃H₇I ). The free radicals generated are the ethyl radical ( C₂H₅^ ) and the n-propyl radical ( C₃H₇^ ). The possible coupling products are: 1. Self-coupling of ethyl radicals: C₂H₅^ + C₂H₅^ C₄H₁₀ (n-Butane) 2. Cross-coupling of ethyl and n-propyl radicals: C₂H₅^ + C₃H₇^ C₅H₁₂ (n-Pentane) 3. Self-coupling of n-propyl radic