Question

What products would you expect to be formed in an attempt to synthesize hexamethylethane from t-buty1 chloride and sodium? Write equations for the reactions involved.

Short answer

The products formed in an attempt to synthesize hexamethylethane from t-butyl chloride and sodium are hexamethylethane and sodium chloride. The overall reaction equation is: $$2(C{H}_3{)}_{3}CCl+2Na\to (C{H}_3{)}_{3}C-C(C{H}_3{)}_3+2NaCl$$

Step-by-step solution

Identify the reactants

First, let's identify our reactants. We have t-butyl chloride and sodium. The t-butyl chloride has the formula (CH3)3CCl, and sodium is a metal with the chemical symbol Na.

Predict the reaction between t-butyl chloride and sodium

When t-butyl chloride reacts with sodium, we can expect a single electron transfer from sodium to the chlorine atom in t-butyl chloride. This will create a t-butyl radical and a sodium chloride salt. The reaction equation for this step is: $$(C{H}_3{)}_{3}CCl+Na\to (C{H}_3{)}_3{C}^{\bullet }+NaCl$$

Formation of hexamethylethane

Now that we have the t-butyl radical, it can react with another t-butyl radical to form hexamethylethane. Two t-butyl radicals will combine, forming a new carbon-carbon bond. The reaction equation for this step is: $$2(C{H}_3{)}_3{C}^{\bullet }\to (C{H}_3{)}_{3}C-C(C{H}_3{)}_3$$ The product formed in this reaction is hexamethylethane, which has the chemical formula $C_6{H}_{1}8$.

Write the overall reaction equation

We can now combine both reactions to write the overall reaction equation for the synthesis of hexamethylethane using t-butyl chloride and sodium: $$2(C{H}_3{)}_{3}CCl+2Na\to (C{H}_3{)}_{3}C-C(C{H}_3{)}_3+2NaCl$$ In conclusion, the products formed when attempting to synthesize hexamethylethane from t-butyl chloride and sodium are hexamethylethane and sodium chloride.

Key concepts

t-butyl chloride

T-butyl chloride, with the chemical formula $(C{H}_3{)}_{3}CCl$, is an organic compound widely used in chemical reactions and synthesis. It belongs to the family of alkyl halides, compounds containing alkanes with halogen atoms like chlorine.
This particular compound is instrumental in nucleophilic substitution and elimination reactions, serving as a precursor for various other chemicals.
When t-butyl chloride reacts, the bonds between chlorine and carbon play a crucial role in determining the reaction pathway.
Both the steric hindrance from the bulky t-butyl group and the reactive nature of the chlorine atom make it ideal for radical reactions, where bonds are formed or broken through the movement of single electrons.

sodium

Sodium, denoted by the symbol Na, is a highly reactive alkali metal. Its reactivity is attributed to the single electron in its outermost shell, which it readily donates, making it a good reductant in many reactions.
Sodium's role in organic synthesis is vast, including the formation of organosodium compounds and acting as a catalyst or reactant in creating various carbon-based structures.
In the synthesis of hexamethylethane, sodium acts as an electron donor, transforming the t-butyl chloride into a radical by attacking and breaking the chlorine bond. This kind of electron transfer is fundamental in generating radical species necessary for further reactions.

radical reaction

Radical reactions involve species with unpaired electrons, called radicals, that are highly reactive and can facilitate the formation of new bonds. These reactions are characterized by three primary phases: initiation, propagation, and termination.
In the synthesis exercise, the initiation phase begins when sodium donates an electron to t-butyl chloride, producing a t-butyl radical.

• Propagation: The t-butyl radicals react with each other, continuing the reaction.
• Termination: When radicals combine to create stable compounds like hexamethylethane.

This process is crucial in forming complex organic molecules, as radicals open pathways to creating bonds that might otherwise be inaccessible through ionic reactions alone.

hexamethylethane

Hexamethylethane is the desired product in this synthesis, characterized by two t-butyl groups linked by a single carbon-carbon bond. Its molecular formula is $(C{H}_3{)}_{3}C-C(C{H}_3{)}_3$, and it is classified as an alkane, comprising only carbon and hydrogen atoms bonded in a saturated hydrocarbon chain.
This compound is noteworthy for its stability and symmetry due to the even distribution of its bulkier t-butyl groups on each side of the central carbon bond, making it a model for studying steric effects in organic chemistry.
Synthesizing hexamethylethane exemplifies the transformation of smaller, simpler molecules into more complex systems by radical combination, a critical concept in organic compound formation.

reaction equations

Writing reaction equations is an essential skill in chemistry, providing a concise way to represent what occurs in a chemical reaction. These equations show the transformation of reactants into products while maintaining the conservation of mass.
In the context of this synthesis, we first see t-butyl chloride reacting with sodium to generate t-butyl radicals and sodium chloride: $$(C{H}_3{)}_{3}CCl+Na\to (C{H}_3{)}_3{C}^{\bullet }+NaCl$$.
Next, t-butyl radicals combine to form hexamethylethane: $$2(C{H}_3{)}_3{C}^{\bullet }\to (C{H}_3{)}_{3}C-C(C{H}_3{)}_3$$.

• Overall, it emphasizes the transformation from simple reactants to complex products through carefully balanced equations.
• Comprehending these transformations offers deeper insight into how different reagents interact to yield the final compounds.

Reaction equations are therefore invaluable for predicting, understanding, and communicating chemical processes.