During the Wurtz reaction, side products can be formed via the disproportionation of alkyl free radi — Hydrocarbons Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

In the free radical mechanism of the Wurtz reaction, ethyl radicals ($CH_3-\dot{C}H_2$) primarily dimerize to form butane. However, they can also undergo disproportionation, where one radical abstracts a hydrogen from another. This transfer creates an alkane (ethane, $CH_3-CH_3$) and an alkene (ethene, $CH_2=CH_2$) as side products.