Question

How will you convert sodium acetate to methane in one step?

Answer 1

Hint : We must know about sodium acetate and methane then only we can understand about conversion of sodium to methane. We can define Sodium acetate as the acetic acid derived sodium salt. It is denoted by the formula ${C_2}{H_3}Na{O_2}$ with a molar mass of about $82.03g/mol$. It is commonly used in food additives, concrete manufacturing and also used in buffer solution.
On the other hand, Methane is the gas present in the earth’s atmosphere and is responsible for the catastrophic phenomenon of global warming. Methane consists of a carbon atom bonded to four different hydrogen atoms. It is denoted by the formula $CH_4$ with a molecular mass of $16.04{\text{ }}g/mol$. It is used as natural gas and fuel.

Complete step by step solution:
Conversion of sodium acetate to methane is the basic reaction used for the formation of alkanes. We can call the reaction mechanism that is being followed here is the decarboxylation reaction; it is a chemical reaction that removes a carboxyl group and releases carbon dioxide.
To convert sodium acetate into methane in just one step, decarboxylation with soda lime is being used.
We must remember that the soda-lime is a mixture of 2 chemicals which are $NaOH{\text{ }}\& {\text{ }}Ca{\left( {OH} \right)_2}$. It is represented by the formula $CaHNa{O_2}$.
In this reaction $CaO$ acts as a catalyst and also another necessary condition for the reaction to take place is the temperature that needs to be 300 degrees Celsius.
We can represent the chemical reaction as
${\text{C}}{{\text{H}}_{\text{3}}}{\text{COONa + NaOH }}\xrightarrow[{{{300}^ \circ }{\text{C}}}]{{{\text{CaO}}}}{\text{C}}{{\text{H}}_{\text{4}}}{\text{ + N}}{{\text{a}}_{\text{2}}}{\text{C}}{{\text{O}}_{\text{3}}}$

Note : While answering such questions we should always take the catalyst into consideration as a catalyst is the one which helps in preceding the reaction. Because catalysts are substances that we can add to a reaction to increase the reaction rate without getting consumed in the process. Also, we have to write the catalyst and the heat required on or below the arrow.