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My book mentions a synthetic route for turning iodoform into propyne.

That conversion was somewhat as follows:

$$\ce{CHI3->[Ag] HC#CH ->[NaNH2] NaC#CH ->[CH3Br] CH3C#CH}$$

The first step is the conversion of iodoform into acetylene with silver. I am unsure how that reaction works. Could someone provide a mechanism?

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    $\begingroup$ What happens when "chloroform reacts with silver powder". Putting this in here so that future google searches redirect here, since this a popular question. $\endgroup$
    – Gaurang Tandon
    Feb 2, 2018 at 13:19

3 Answers 3

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What happens is that the C-I bond being weak, the iodide group is attacked by the silver atom (similar to what Na does in Wurtz reaction). As, there are 3 I-atoms and 2 molecules of iodoform usually react, 6 silver atoms are used up in the reaction and they precipitate out 6 molecules of AgI. The 2 carbon atoms form a triple bond to form acetylene.

EDIT- $$\ce{2CHI3 + 6Ag-> C2H2 + 6AgI}$$ $$\ce{C-I + 2Ag +I-C->I\bond{...}Ag + Ag\bond{...}I + C\bond{...}C}$$ As there are 3 C-I bonds, 6 Ag atoms form bonds with I-atoms, Hence, triple bond is formed between the 2 C-atoms. I hope that explains it.

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    $\begingroup$ How does C-C bond formation occur and how do you end up with a triple bond? Can you provide a mechanism? $\endgroup$
    – bon
    Jun 4, 2016 at 18:35
  • $\begingroup$ What @bon said and additionally can you expand on how "the iodide group is attacked by the silver atom"? $\endgroup$
    – K_P
    Jun 5, 2016 at 8:55
  • $\begingroup$ While this still isn't what I'd call mechanism, the reaction is redox on surface of Ag powder, so exact mechanism may be elusive. $\endgroup$
    – Mithoron
    Jun 5, 2016 at 19:36
  • $\begingroup$ Perhaps something related to the Ullmann-reaction? Forming an alkyl-silver-iodide, which reacts with a second silver to form silver iodide and alkyl-silver. Another iodoform enters the reaction, the c-c-bond is formed and silver iodide leaves. That would create something like $I_2HC-CHI_2$ and perhaps this further eliminates iodides with the help of silver in a similar fashion? $\endgroup$
    – Justanotherchemist
    Mar 20, 2018 at 7:54
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Here the iodine atoms of iodoform are the leaving groups, which creates a precipitate of silver iodide by reacting with silver. But, there are no nucleophile to occupy the vacant places of the leaving groups. So it creates a triple bond with other molecule. I think that is the process.

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It might be undergoing the same mechanism as the Wurtz reaction. Which is through free radical mechanism (Some say that Wurtz reaction also takes place through the ionic reactions).

Firstly the $\ce{C-I}$ bond breaks from both the iodoforms to form $\ce{CHI2}$ free radical which causes them to fuse forming $\ce{I2HC-CHI2}$. The same step repeats causing further breakng of $\ce{C-I}$ bond leading to formation of alkenes and alkynes later.

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    $\begingroup$ It is always best to have literature backing up your mechanisms. Opinion-based answers aren't very helpful, especially when you give no rationale behind why that mechanism might be considered correct. $\endgroup$
    – William R. Ebenezer
    May 10, 2020 at 16:15

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