When bromoethane is subjected to Wurtz reaction, the hydrocarbon mixture so obtained consist of

Options

A. butane only
B. butane and ethane
C. butane and ethene
D. butane , ethane and ethene

Answer

To solve the problem, we need to understand the Wurtz reaction and how it applies to bromoethane. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown:

### Step 1: Understand the Wurtz Reaction
The Wurtz reaction involves the coupling of alkyl halides in the presence of sodium metal to form higher alkanes. 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 Reactants
In this case, the reactant is bromoethane (C2H5Br), which can be represented as:
\[ \text{C}_2\text{H}_5\text{Br} \]

### Step 3: Write the Reaction
When bromoethane is subjected to the Wurtz reaction with sodium, the reaction can be written as:
\[ 2 \text{C}_2\text{H}_5\text{Br} + 2 \text{Na} \rightarrow \text{C}_4\text{H}_{10} + 2 \text{NaBr} \]

### Step 4: Determine the Product
The product formed from the reaction is butane (C4H10). This is because two molecules of bromoethane couple together to form a longer carbon chain.

### Step 5: Analyze the Result
Since bromoethane is a symmetrical alkyl halide, the only product formed will be butane. There are no other isomers or products formed in this reaction.

### Conclusion
Thus, when bromoethane is subjected to the Wurtz reaction, the hydrocarbon mixture obtained consists solely of butane.

### Final Answer
The hydrocarbon mixture obtained consists of butane.

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