Askiitians Tutor Team
Last Activity: 5 Months ago
To convert ethyl bromide to ethane, n-butane, and other compounds, we can utilize various organic reactions. Each transformation involves specific reagents and conditions. Let’s break down these conversions step by step.
Conversion of Ethyl Bromide to Ethane
Ethyl bromide (C2H5Br) can be converted to ethane (C2H6) through a reduction reaction. One common method is to use zinc (Zn) in the presence of an acid, such as hydrochloric acid (HCl).
- **Reaction**: C2H5Br + Zn + HCl → C2H6 + ZnBrCl
This reaction replaces the bromine atom with hydrogen, yielding ethane.
Conversion of Ethyl Bromide to n-Butane
To convert ethyl bromide to n-butane (C4H10), we can use a coupling reaction. This involves the reaction of ethyl bromide with a suitable alkyl lithium reagent, such as butyllithium (BuLi).
- **Reaction**: 2 C2H5Br + BuLi → C4H10 + 2 LiBr
In this case, two ethyl groups couple to form n-butane.
Preparation of Ethyl Chloride from Ethane
To prepare ethyl chloride (C2H5Cl) from ethane, we can perform a halogenation reaction. This typically involves the use of chlorine gas (Cl2) under UV light or heat.
- **Reaction**: C2H6 + Cl2 → C2H5Cl + HCl
The chlorine replaces one hydrogen atom in ethane, resulting in ethyl chloride.
Conversion of Ethene to Ethane
Ethene (C2H4) can be converted to ethane through hydrogenation. This process involves adding hydrogen (H2) in the presence of a catalyst, such as palladium (Pd) or platinum (Pt).
- **Reaction**: C2H4 + H2 → C2H6
This reaction saturates the double bond in ethene, producing ethane.
Conversion of Ethyne to Ethane
To convert ethyne (C2H2) to ethane, we can also use hydrogenation. Similar to the previous reaction, we add hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst.
- **Reaction**: C2H2 + 2 H2 → C2H6
This process adds hydrogen across the triple bond, resulting in ethane.
Formation of Methane and Ethane from Sodium Salt of Fatty Acid
The sodium salt of a fatty acid can be converted to methane (CH4) and ethane through a process called decarboxylation. This typically involves heating the sodium salt with soda lime (a mixture of sodium hydroxide and calcium oxide).
- **Reaction**: RCOONa + NaOH (soda lime) → R-H + Na2CO3
In this reaction, the fatty acid salt loses a carbon dioxide molecule, yielding an alkane (methane or ethane, depending on the starting material).
Each of these reactions showcases the versatility of organic chemistry in transforming compounds through various mechanisms. Understanding these processes is crucial for synthesizing desired organic molecules in the lab.