Identify the product of the following Wurtz-Fittig reaction.
Solution
First halide bond will cleave to form halide and benzene and then halide will react with sodium. As a result, benzene and sodium bromide is formed. In second step, there will be a bond cleavage of $\mathrm{CH}_3-\mathrm{Br}$ to form $\mathrm{CH}_3^*+\mathrm{NaBr}$. Free radical $\mathrm{CH}_3^*$ react with benzene to form toluene.
Asked in: AP EAMCET 2021 (24 Aug Shift 1)