By wurtz reaction a mixture of methyl iodide and ethyl iodide gives

Options

A. butane
B. ethane
C. propane
D. a mixture of the above three

Answer

A

Explanation

Thinking process. A single product is obtained as symmetrical alkane if alkyl halides are of single type during wurtz reaction. But if different alkyl halides are used, the product is non-separable mixture of alkanes. Methyl iodide and ethyl iodide, on treatement with sodium in ethereal solution, gives a mixture of propane, ethane and butane, as follows
`CH_(3)l+2Na+l-CH_(3)CH_(3) overset("ether")tounderset("Propane")(CH_(3)CH_(2)CH_(3))+2Nal`
`CH_(3)l+2Na+l-CH_(3)tounderset("Ethane")(CH_(3)-CH_(3))+2Nal`
`C_(2)H_(5)l+2Na+l-C_(2)H_(5)tounderset("Butane")(C_(2)H_(5)C_(2)H_(5))+2Nal`