Alkanes: preparation (Wurtz, Kolbe, decarboxylation), free-radical halogenation
Hydrocarbons · Chemistry
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Prepare ethane from CH₃COONa. Which method? Step 1: Decarboxylation: CH₃COONa + NaOH/CaO (heat) → CH₄ + Na₂CO₃ — gives METHANE, not ethane! Step 2: Kolbe electrolysis of acetate: 2CH₃COO⁻ → CH₃–CH₃ + 2CO₂ — ethane! Step 3: Wurtz from CH₃I: 2CH₃I + 2Na → CH₃CH₃ — also works. Step 4: Kolbe is cleanest for ethane from acetate. Choose Kolbe!
Related topics
- Alkenes: preparation (dehydration, dehydrohalogenation), electrophilic addition, Markovnikov's rule, peroxide effect
- Alkynes: preparation, acidic character, addition reactions
- Aromatic hydrocarbons: benzene structure, aromaticity and Huckel's rule
- Electrophilic aromatic substitution: nitration, sulfonation, halogenation, Friedel–Crafts
- Directing effects of substituents
- Polynuclear aromatics (intro)