Question

Number of alkanes obtained on electrolysis of a mixture of \(CH_3​COONa\) and \(C_2​H_5​COONa\) is___.

Answer 1

Correct Answer: 3

Reactions Provided:

1. Sodium acetate (\( \text{CH}_3\text{COONa} \)) reacts to produce a methyl radical (\( \cdot \text{CH}_3 \)):
   \[ \text{CH}_3\text{COONa} \rightarrow \cdot \text{CH}_3 \]
2. Sodium propionate (\( \text{C}_2\text{H}_5\text{COONa} \)) reacts to produce an ethyl radical (\( \cdot \text{C}_2\text{H}_5 \)):
   \[ \text{C}_2\text{H}_5\text{COONa} \rightarrow \cdot \text{C}_2\text{H}_5 \]
3. Two ethyl radicals combine to form butane (\( \text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2\text{CH}_2\text{CH}_3 \)):
   \[ 2\text{C}_2\text{H}_5 \rightarrow \text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2\text{CH}_2\text{CH}_3 \]
4. Two methyl radicals combine to form ethane (\( \text{CH}_3\text{CH}_3 \)):
   \[ 2\cdot \text{CH}_3 \rightarrow \text{CH}_3\text{CH}_3 \]
5. A methyl radical and an ethyl radical combine to form propane (\( \text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2\text{CH}_3 \)):
   \[ \cdot \text{CH}_3 + \cdot \text{C}_2\text{H}_5 \rightarrow \text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2\text{CH}_3 \]

Correct Answer: The correct answer is 3.