Wurtz Coupling
Wurtz Coupling is a chemical reaction used to form carbon-carbon bonds by coupling two alkyl halides in the presence of a metal, typically sodium. This reaction occurs in an anhydrous environment, where the sodium donates electrons to the halides, leading to the formation of a new carbon-carbon bond and the release of sodium halide as a byproduct.
This method is particularly useful for synthesizing symmetrical alkanes and can be applied to various organic compounds. However, it is limited to primary and some secondary alkyl halides, as tertiary halides often lead to side reactions or decomposition.