Hunsdiecker reaction is used to prepare alkyl chloride and alkyl bromide starting from

Options

A. Diazonium salt
B. Silver salt of carboxylic acids
C. Sodium salt of carboxylic acids
D. Alcohols

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding the Hunsdiecker Reaction:**
The Hunsdiecker reaction is a chemical reaction that allows the conversion of silver salts of carboxylic acids into alkyl halides (alkyl chlorides or alkyl bromides) when reacted with halogens (like Br2 or Cl2).

2. **Starting Materials:**
The reaction begins with a silver salt of a carboxylic acid. The general formula for the silver salt of a carboxylic acid is RCOOAg, where R represents the alkyl group.

3. **Reaction with Halogen:**
The silver salt (RCOOAg) is treated with a halogen (Br2 or Cl2). The halogen will react with the carboxylate ion (RCOO-) present in the silver salt.

4. **Formation of Alkyl Halide:**
During the reaction, the carboxylate ion will attack the halogen, leading to the formation of an alkyl halide (either RBr or RCl) and the release of carbon dioxide (CO2) gas.

5. **Byproducts:**
The byproducts of the reaction include silver halide (AgBr or AgCl) and carbon dioxide (CO2). The overall reaction can be summarized as:
\[ RCOOAg + Br_2 \rightarrow RBr + CO_2 + AgBr \]
or
\[ RCOOAg + Cl_2 \rightarrow RCl + CO_2 + AgCl \]

6. **Conclusion:**
Thus, the Hunsdiecker reaction is used to prepare alkyl chlorides and alkyl bromides starting from the silver salts of carboxylic acids.

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