1. Objective

2. Reactions of Haloalkanes with metals When a solution of an alkyl halide in dry ether is treated with magnesium, an alkyl magnesium halide is formed. Alkyl magnesium halides, generally, represented as RMgX, are known as Grignard reagents.

3. Action with Sodium Two molecules of alkyl halides (same or different) react with metallic sodium in the presence of ether to form alkanes. This reaction is called Wurtz reaction and is used to prepare symmetrical alkanes.

4. Reaction with other Active Metals Haloalkanes react with other active metals such as lithium, zinc, mercury, lead, etc. in the presence of dry ether to form the corresponding organometallic compounds. For example,