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What is Wurtz reaction?
Higher alkanes are obtained by heating an alkyl halide (R-X) with sodium metal in dry ether solution .The reaction is called Wurtz reaction.
Example :



The reaction between two different alkyl halides and sodium gives a mixture of products that are difficult to separate .For example ,methyl chloride and ethyl chloride when treated with sodium give three products :propane from the combination of methyl chloride and ethyl chloride .Ethane from the combination of two molecules of methyl chloride ;n-butane from two molecules of ethyl chloride .


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