Table of Contents
What is Wurtz Reaction?
The Wurtz reaction is a type of organic reaction in which a carbon–carbon double bond is formed by the reaction of two alkyl halides. It is named for François Auguste Victor Wurtz, who first described it in 1864. The Wurtz reaction is used to produce a wide variety of organic compounds, including alkanes, alkenes, and alkynes.
Wurtz Reaction Equation
- The Wurtz reaction is a type of organic reaction that involves the coupling of two alkyl halides to form an alkyl radical.
- A strong base such as sodium hydride facilitates the reaction, which proceeds through the intermediacy of an alkyl radical.
- French chemist Louis-Adolphe Wurtz first described the Wurtz reaction in 1858, which is named after him.
Wurtz Reaction Mechanism
- The Wurtz reaction mechanism is a type of organic reaction that involves the exchange of a halogen atom between two adjacent carbon atoms. French chemist Jean-Baptiste-André Wurtz first described the reaction in 1864 and it was named after him.
- In the Wurtz reaction mechanism, a halogen atom is exchanged between two adjacent carbon atoms in a series of steps, beginning with the formation of a carbocation intermediate which a nucleophile then attacks. The final step is the elimination of a water molecule from the product.
Wurtz Reaction Examples
- The Wurtz reaction is a type of organic reaction that involves the exchange of alkyl groups between two molecules. The reaction is named after the French chemist Louis-Auguste Wurtz, who first described it in 1858.
- One common example of the Wurtz reaction is the synthesis of ethane from ethene. In this reaction, two ethene molecules are combined to form ethane, with the alkyl groups on each molecule exchanging places.
Limitations of Wurtz Reaction
The Wurtz reaction has a few limitations. First, it is limited to alkyl halides and not aryl halides. Second, it is not very efficient, meaning that not all of the starting material is converted into product. Finally, the reaction is not very selective, meaning that it produces a mixture of products.
Wurtz-Fittig reaction
- The Wurtz-Fittig reaction is a chemical reaction between an aldehyde or ketone and an organolithium reagent to form a σ-bonded alkyl lithium.
- Charles-Adolphe Wurtz and Rudolf Fittig independently published the reaction in 1856 and named it after themselves.
- The Wurtz-Fittig reaction forms carbon-carbon bonds. It is particularly useful for the formation of tertiary carbon-carbon bonds.
