A mixture of ethyl iodide and methyl iodide is subjected to the Wurtz reaction. The product(s) formed is/are

Options

A. ethane
B. butane
C. propane
D. 2-methylpropane

Answer

To solve the problem of what products are formed when a mixture of ethyl iodide (C2H5I) and methyl iodide (CH3I) is subjected to the Wurtz reaction, we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Understand the Wurtz Reaction
The Wurtz reaction involves the coupling of alkyl halides in the presence of sodium (Na) and dry ether. The general reaction can be represented as:
\[ 2 R-X + 2 Na \rightarrow R-R + 2 NaX \]
where R is the alkyl group and X is the halogen.

### Step 2: Identify the Alkyl Halides
In this case, we have two alkyl halides:
- Methyl iodide (CH3I)
- Ethyl iodide (C2H5I)

### Step 3: Determine Possible Coupling Products
When these two alkyl halides undergo the Wurtz reaction, they can couple in several ways:
1. Two molecules of methyl iodide can couple to form ethane (C2H6):
\[ 2 CH3I + 2 Na \rightarrow C2H6 + 2 NaI \]

2. Two molecules of ethyl iodide can couple to form butane (C4H10):
\[ 2 C2H5I + 2 Na \rightarrow C4H10 + 2 NaI \]

3. One molecule of methyl iodide and one molecule of ethyl iodide can couple to form propane (C3H8):
\[ CH3I + C2H5I + 2 Na \rightarrow C3H8 + NaI + NaI \]

### Step 4: List All Possible Products
From the above reactions, we can summarize the possible products formed from the Wurtz reaction of the mixture:
- Ethane (C2H6)
- Butane (C4H10)
- Propane (C3H8)

### Conclusion
Thus, the products formed from the Wurtz reaction of a mixture of ethyl iodide and methyl iodide are:
- Ethane (C2H6)
- Propane (C3H8)
- Butane (C4H10)

### Final Answer
The products formed are ethane, propane, and butane.

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