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Wurtz reaction
| Wurtz reaction | |
|---|---|
| Named after | Charles Adolphe Wurtz |
| Reaction type | Coupling reaction |
| Identifiers | |
| Organic Chemistry Portal | wurtz-reaction |
In organic chemistry, the Wurtz reaction, named after Charles Adolphe Wurtz, is a coupling reaction in which two alkyl halides are treated with sodium metal to form a higher alkane.
- 2 R−X + 2 Na → R−R + 2 NaX
The reaction is of little value except for intramolecular versions, such as 1,6-dibromohexane + 2 Na → cyclohexane + 2 NaBr.
A related reaction, which combines alkyl halides with aryl halides is called the Wurtz–Fittig reaction. Despite its very modest utility, the Wurtz reaction is widely cited as representative of reductive coupling.[1]
- ^ March Advanced Organic Chemistry 4th edition p. 535.
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