Corey-House reaction.

Explanation

This reaction involves the coupling of two alkyl groups of two alkyl halides to produce an alkane. In this method, one alkyl halide is converted into lithium dialkyl cuprate which then on treatment with other alkyl halide yields the alkane. For example,
`2C_(2)H_(5)Iunderset("Ether")overset(Li)(to)2C_(2)H_(5)Liunderset(-"LiI")overset("CuI")(to)underset("Lithiumdiethyl cuprate")((C_(2)H_(5))_(2)CuLi)`
`underset("Lithiumdiethyl cuprate")((CH_(3)CH_(2))_(2))+underset("1-Iodopropane")(CH_(3)CH_(2)CH_(2)I)overset("dry ether")(to)underset("n-Pentane")(CH_(3)CH_(2)CH_(2)CH_(2)CH_(3))+C_(2)H_(5)Cu+"LiI"`
In general, `R_(2)"CuLi"+R.Xoverset("dry ether")(to)R-R.+R.Cu+"LiX"`
It may be noted that R. must be either a methyl halide, or a primary alkyl halide. However, the two alkyl groups being coupled may not be different.