What is wurtz reaction ? Give an example.

Explanation

The reaction in which an alkyl halide is heated with metallic sodium in presence of dry ether to obtain the corresponding higher alkane is termed as wurtz reaction :
`underset(alkyl halide)R-X+2Na +X-R overset(Na)underset(dryether)rarr underset(Higher alkane(R-R) +2NaX`
Example:`underset(Methyl bromide)(CH_3Br)+2Na +Br-CH_3 overset(Na)underset(dryether)rarrunderset(Ethane)(CH_3-CH_3)+2NaBr`