Question

An organic compound A is warmed with conc. H₂SO₄ to form B. On adding hydrogen to B in presence of a Nickel compound, C is formed. One mole of C on combustion forms two moles of carbon dioxide and three moles of water.

1. Identify A, B and C. 
2. Write the chemical equations for the reaction involved.

Answer 1

(a) A: Ethanol (C₂H₅OH)

B: Ethene (C₂H₄)

C: Ethane (C₂H₆)

(b) Ethanol to ethene:

\[\ce{C2H5OH −>[conc.H2SO4][170∘C] C2H4 + H2O}\]

Ethene to ethane:

\[\ce{C2H4 + H2 −>[Ni]C2H6}\]

Combustion of ethane:

\[\ce{2C2H6 + 7O2 −>4CO2 + 6H2O}\]