Name the reagent used in Wurtz Reaction
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → Sodium in dry ether
Three named reactions couple halides with sodium in dry ether; they are named by what is joined:
Fittig reaction: two aryl halides give a diaryl.
\( \displaystyle \ce{2C6H5-X + 2Na} \xrightarrow{\text{dry ether}} \ce{C6H5-C6H5 + 2NaX} \)
Wurtz–Fittig reaction: an alkyl halide and an aryl halide give an alkylarene.
\( \displaystyle \ce{C6H5-X + R-X + 2Na} \xrightarrow{\text{dry ether}} \ce{C6H5-R + 2NaX} \)
In the Wurtz reaction two alkyl halides are coupled in this way; the ether must be dry, because sodium reacts violently with water. So the reagent used in the Wurtz reaction is sodium in dry ether.
Why the other options are incorrect
Option (2) Sodium in ester — Incorrect. Sodium is right but the solvent is wrong. The reaction needs an inert, dry ether; an ester has a reactive C=O group and itself reacts with sodium, so it cannot be the solvent for this coupling.
Option (3) Chlorine gas in dry ether — Incorrect. Chlorine is a halogenating agent: with an alkane it replaces hydrogen by chlorine. It cannot remove the halogen from two alkyl halides and join the alkyl groups; that needs a reactive metal such as sodium.
Option (4) Chlorine gas in ester — Incorrect. Both parts are wrong: chlorine does not couple alkyl halides, and an ester is not the dry ether solvent the reaction needs.
NCERT (2026-27 edition):
Wurtz Reaction
Note: The same/similar question has been asked in different years by NTA as per the details given below:
| 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31-05 S2 | – | – | 12-06 S2 | – |