How many gram of sodium (atomic mass 23 u) is required to prepare one mole of ethane from methyl chloride by Wurtz reaction?

Step-by-step solution

The Wurtz reaction between methyl chloride and sodium metal in presence of dry ether can be written as: 2 C H 3 + C l + 2 N a → D r y e t h e r C H 3 - E t h a n e C H 3 + 2 N a C l ⇒ moles of sodium metal reacts to give 1 mole of ethane. Also, 1 mole of Na metal = 23 g ∴ 2 moles of Na metal = 23 × 2 = 46 g Thus, 46 g of sodium is required to prepare one mole of ethane from methyl chloride by Wurtz reaction.