Question

If Bromopropane and Bromomethane were treated with sodium and ether, then what is the product?

Answer 1

When bromopropane (also known as 1-bromopropane) and bromomethane (also known as methyl bromide) are treated with sodium and ether, a reaction known as the Wurtz reaction can occur. The Wurtz reaction involves the coupling of two alkyl halides in the presence of sodium metal, resulting in the formation of a new carbon-carbon bond.

In this case, if bromopropane and bromomethane are treated with sodium and ether, the Wurtz reaction can lead to the formation of a dimer product. The specific product that forms depends on the reaction conditions, such as stoichiometry and reaction temperature.

One possible product that can form is 2,2-dimethylbutane. The reaction proceeds as follows:

\[ \text{CH₃CH₂CH₂Br + CH₃Br + 2Na} \rightarrow \text{CH₃CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₃ + 2NaBr} \]

The resulting product, 2,2-dimethylbutane, is a branched hydrocarbon with a total of five carbon atoms in the main chain.

It's important to note that the Wurtz reaction is not highly selective and can produce multiple products, especially in the case of complex molecules or when multiple alkyl halides are involved.

• Reaction conditions such as stoichiometry and temperature play a significant role in determining the product.
• The exact outcome is difficult to predict without further information on reagent ratios and specific conditions.