Question

2-bromo propane + Zn dust

Answer 1

2,3-dimethylbutane

Answer 2

The reaction of 2-bromopropane with zinc (Zn) dust is a coupling reaction, similar to the Wurtz reaction. In this reaction, two molecules of the alkyl halide couple to form a higher alkane, and the halogen atoms are removed by the metal.

The zinc metal removes the bromine atoms, leading to the coupling of two isopropyl groups.

Reaction Equation:

$2\text{CH}_3\text{CH(Br)}\text{CH}_3 + \text{Zn} \longrightarrow \text{CH}_3\text{CH}(\text{CH}_3)\text{CH}(\text{CH}_3)\text{CH}_3 + \text{ZnBr}_2$

The product formed is 2,3-dimethylbutane.

Structure of 2,3-dimethylbutane:

$\text{CH}_3\text{CH}(\text{CH}_3)\text{CH}(\text{CH}_3)\text{CH}_3$