Question

Electrolytic decarboxylation of sodium propionate produces

• A. propane
• B. ethane
• C. methane
• D. butane

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

butane

Answer 2

$\underset{\text{Sod.propionate}}{2H_3C - CH_2 - COONa } + 2H_2O {->[\text{Electrolysis}]}$ $\underset{\text{Butane}}{H_3C-CH_2-CH_2-CH_3} + 2NaOH + 2CO_2 + H_2$