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Convert Propanoic acid to Ethane

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Reduction of carboxylic acids can yield alcohols, and further reduction of alcohols can yield alkanes.
Updated On: Feb 27, 2026
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Solution and Explanation

Conversion of propanoic acid to ethane is achieved through a two-step reduction process. First, propanoic acid is reduced to ethanol using a powerful reducing agent such as lithium aluminum hydride (LiAlH).

The steps involved are: 1. Reduction of Propanoic acid: Propanoic acid is treated with lithium aluminum hydride (LiAlH) to yield ethanol. \[ \text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2\text{COOH} \xrightarrow{\text{LiAlH}_4} \text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2\text{OH} \] 2. Reduction of Ethanol to Ethane: Subsequently, ethanol is reduced to ethane by a reducing agent, for instance, zinc in the presence of hydrochloric acid (Zn/HCl). \[ \text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2\text{OH} \xrightarrow{\text{Zn/HCl}} \text{CH}_3\text{CH}_3 \] Consequently, propanoic acid undergoes conversion to ethanol, followed by the conversion of ethanol to ethane.

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