What might occur in the reaction between #"isopropyl bromide"# with #"sodium metal"#?

1 Answer
anor277
Sep 5, 2017

Perhaps a case of radical coupling.....? What do you get? A butane derivative.....

Explanation:

#2(H_3C)_2CHBr+2Na stackrel(Delta)rarr (H_3C)_2CH-CH(CH_3)_2+2NaBr#

This is an example of the so-called #"Wurtz reaction"#, the ipso carbon on the alkyl halide is reduced by sodium metal to give a carbon radical....

#R_2CH-Br + Na stackrel(Delta)rarrR_2dotCH#

The radicals then couple to form a #C-C# bond.....

#R_2dotCH + dotCHR_2 rarrR_2CH-CHR_2#

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