Question

Sodium enthanoate on heating with soda lime give ‘X’. Electrolysis of aqueous solution of sodium ethanoate gives ‘Y’, ‘X’ and ‘Y’ respectively are :

• A. Methane and Ethane
• B. Methane and Methane
• C. Ethane and Methane
• D. Ethane and Ethane

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Sodium ethanoate \((CH₃COONa) \)when heated with soda lime (a mixture of sodium hydroxide and calcium oxide) undergoes decarboxylation to form methane \((CH₄)\).

The reaction is:

• \(\text{CH₃COONa} + \text{NaOH (soda lime)} \rightarrow \text{CH₄ (Methane)} + \text{Na₂CO₃ (Sodium carbonate)}\)

Therefore, 'X' is Methane.

Electrolysis of aqueous sodium ethanoate results in the formation of ethane \((C₂H₆)\) at the cathode, and the oxidation of the anion produces methane \((CH₄)\) at the anode.

The reactions are:

At the cathode: \(CH₃COO⁻ + H₂O → C₂H₆ + OH⁻\)

At the anode: \(CH₃COO⁻ → CH₄ + CO₂\)

Thus, 'X' is Methane and 'Y' is Ethane, making (A) Methane and Ethane the correct answer.

Answer 2

When sodium ethanate (sodium acetate, CH₃COONa) is heated with soda lime (a mixture of sodium hydroxide and calcium oxide), a decarboxylation reaction occurs, which produces methane (CH₄). \[ CH₃COONa + NaOH \xrightarrow{\text{soda lime}} CH₄ + Na₂CO₃ \] When an aqueous solution of sodium ethanate is electrolyzed, it produces ethane (C₂H₆) because the electrolysis of sodium ethanate leads to the reduction of acetate ions to produce ethane. \[ CH₃COONa \xrightarrow{\text{electrolysis}} C₂H₆ \]