Give the different combinations of RX and R'X that can be used to synthesize 3-methylpentane. Write the IUPAC name for rach of the RX and R'X?
1 Answer
You could use any of three combinations.
I presume that you are referring to the Wurtz reaction:
You want to make 3-methylpentane
We must work backwards from the product to figure out the starting materials.
We must cut a C-C bond to get two alkyl groups for the starting material.
Scheme 1
We could cut off the methyl group:
This gives us a
The reaction is then
Scheme 2
We could cut the bond between
This gives us a
The reaction is then
Scheme 3
Finally, we could cut the bond between
This gives us a
The reaction is then
Note: None of these schemes will give you good yields of product.
Statistically, the product will consist of 50 %