Chemistry - Halogen Derivative Question with Solution | TestHub

The reaction of a single alkyl halide with Na/dry ether is the Wurtz reaction, which forms a symmetric alkane ($R-X+2Na+X-R\to R-R+2NaX$). Therefore, only alkanes that can be divided into two identical alkyl groups ($R$) can be prepared this way. Among the choices, structures (i) butane, (ii) hexane, (iii) 2,3-dimethylbutane, and (viii) 3,4-dimethylhexane are perfectly symmetrical. Since exactly 4 alkanes meet this condition, the correct answer is 4.