Discuss the Wurtz reaction involving haloalkanes and give the balanced chemical equation.

The Wurtz reaction is a coupling reaction in organic chemistry, named after Charles Adolphe Wurtz, who first discovered it. This reaction involves the reaction of two equivalent amounts of alkyl halides with sodium metal in the presence of dry ether to give higher alkanes.

Here is a step-by-step explanation of the Wurtz reaction:

1. The reaction begins with the sodium metal reacting with the alkyl halide, resulting in the formation of sodium halide and an alkyl radical. This is a single electron transfer (SET) process.

2. The alkyl radical then reacts with another molecule of sodium metal, leading to the formation of a sodium alkyl compound and another molecule of sodium halide.

3. Finally, two alkyl groups couple together to form a higher alkane.

The balanced chemical equation for the Wurtz reaction is:

2R-X + 2Na → R-R + 2NaX

Where R represents the alkyl group and X represents the halide.

It's important to note that the Wurtz reaction is not suitable for the preparation of alkanes containing an odd number of carbon atoms. Also, it often leads to a mixture of products due to side reactions.