Question

Alkyl halides react with dialkyl copper reagents to give

• A. alkenes
• B. alkyl copper halides
• C. alkanes
• D. alkenyl halides.

Hint:

The reaction between alkyl halides and dialkyl copper reagents allows for the synthesis of alkanes, which are saturated hydrocarbons.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

The correct answer is Option C) alkanes

In Corey House's synthesis of alkane, alkyl halide reacts with lithium dialkyl cuprate. \(R_{2}CuLi+R' X \to RR'+RCu+LiX\)

For example, Lithium dialkyl cuprate reacts with ethyl chloride to give n-butane.

Li(CH₃-CH₂)₂Cu + CH₃-CH₂-Cl →CH₃-CH₂-CH₂-CH₃ +LiCl + CH₃-CH₂-Cu

Discover More From Chapter: Haloalkanes and Haloarenes

 

Answer 2

The correct answer is Option C) alkanes

Real Life Applications

The reaction of alkyl halides with dialkyl copper reagents to give alkanes is called Wittig reaction. It is used for the synthesis of alkanes. 
1) It helps in the synthesis of steroids. Steroids are a class of organic compounds that are essential for many biological processes, including the production of sex hormones and the regulation of metabolism. The Wittig reaction can be used to synthesize a wide variety of steroids, including testosterone, estrogen, and cortisone. 
2) Polymers are large molecules that are made up of repeating units. The Wittig reaction can be used to synthesize polymers that are used in a variety of applications, including plastics, rubbers, and adhesives. 

The Wittig reaction is also used in the synthesis of other organic compounds, such as pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. It is a versatile reaction that can be used to synthesize a wide variety of compounds with different properties.

Question can also be asked as

1. What are the products of the reaction between alkyl halides and dialkyl copper reagents?
2. What is the Corey-House synthesis?
3. How are alkanes synthesized from alkyl halides?

Answer 3

The correct answer is Option C) alkanes

The reaction between alkyl halides and dialkyl copper reagents allows for the synthesis of alkanes, which are saturated hydrocarbons.

• Alkyl halides are organic compounds that contain a halogen atom (chlorine, bromine, or iodine) bonded to a carbon atom.
• They are widely used as starting materials in various organic reactions due to the reactivity of the halogen atom.

Dialkyl Copper Reagents

• Dialkyl copper reagents are organometallic compounds containing a copper atom bonded to alkyl groups.
• Common examples include diethyl copper (CuEt2) and dimethyl copper (CuMe2).

Alkyl Halides with Dialkyl Copper Reagents

When alkyl halides are treated with dialkyl copper reagents, a substitution reaction occurs.

The copper reagent acts as a nucleophile, attacking the alkyl halide and replacing the halogen atom with an alkyl group from the copper reagent.

Formation of Alkanes

• The key product of the reaction between alkyl halides and dialkyl copper reagents is an alkane.
• Alkanes are saturated hydrocarbons, meaning they consist solely of carbon and hydrogen atoms with only single bonds.

Importance in Organic Synthesis

• The synthesis of alkanes through the reaction of alkyl halides with dialkyl copper reagents provides a useful method for constructing carbon-carbon bonds.
• This reaction allows chemists to introduce alkyl groups into organic molecules, enabling the synthesis of complex organic compounds.
• The reaction is most effective with primary alkyl halides, as they are more reactive towards nucleophilic substitution.
• Secondary and tertiary alkyl halides may undergo competing elimination reactions.

Read More:

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