Odd-Carbon Alkanes: Why Wurtz Can't Help

[anigeo]

why can wurtz reaction not be used to produced an alkane consisting of an odd nos. of carbon atoms?could you please explain me the reaction when i make two dissimilar alkyl halides react.

 

[Borek]

You really should try before asking.

Think: how many products are possible when you react R-X with R'-X?

 

[agnibho]

@anigeo Try to understand the definite mechanism of a wurtz reaction with similar alkanes first. Then using that knowledge try to figure the answer out! Will be waiting for your effort.

 

[Saitama]

Think: how many products are possible when you react R-X with R'-X?

Generally, two different alkyl halides are not used in Wurtz reaction. This is because of the high reactivity of organosodium compounds which couple with their parent alkyl halide as soon as they are formed.