Question

Cycloalkane formed when $1, 4$ -dibromopehtane is heated with Sodium is

• A. Methyl cyclobutane
• B. Cyclopentane
• C. Cyclobutane
• D. Methyl cyclopentane

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

Methyl cyclobutane

Answer 2

When $\alpha, \omega$ -dihalogen derivatives of the alkanes

(say $1,4$ -dibromopentane) are treated with sodium or zinc, the corresponding cycloalkane is formed. The reaction undergoes free radical mechanism

On the other hand, $\alpha, \omega$ -dihalogen derivatives of the alkanes in which the two halogen atoms are further apart than the $1,6$ -positions, do not form ring compounds but undergo the Wurtz reaction.