NaNH2 is too strong a base to do a dehydrohalogenation of a geminal dihalide. True False
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is True.
A geminal dihalide has two halogen atoms attached to the same carbon atom. Dehydrohalogenation of such a compound typically involves the elimination of a hydrogen atom and a halide ion, leading to the formation of a double bond (alkene). The base used for this reaction must be strong enough to abstract a proton from a carbon adjacent to the one bearing the halogen.
However, sodium amide (NaNH2) is an exceptionally strong base. While it is effective in many dehydrohalogenation reactions, it is too strong for geminal dihalides because it can induce an irreversible elimination reaction. The strong base could potentially cause the carbon-carbon bond between the two halogen-bearing carbons to break, leading to the formation of a highly reactive intermediate, which would not proceed through the expected elimination mechanism. This is because the nature of NaNH2 as a strong base makes it too aggressive, leading to side reactions or over-elimination.
In the case of geminal dihalides, it is typically better to use a weaker base like potassium hydroxide (KOH) or sodium hydroxide (NaOH), which can perform the elimination without leading to excessive reactivity or destruction of the molecule. These bases are sufficiently strong to abstract a proton from the adjacent carbon, but they do not cause side reactions that might occur with a stronger base like NaNH2.
Therefore, sodium amide is indeed too strong to perform dehydrohalogenation of a geminal dihalide without potentially leading to undesired outcomes.