Question

An unsaturated hydrocarbon having two carbon atoms was made to react with two moles of hydrogen gas in the presence of a catalyst to give a saturated hydrocarbon.

Using the above information, answer the following questions:

1. The type of reaction that occurred is ______. (addition/substitution)
2. Name a suitable catalyst which is used in the reaction.
3. Write a balanced chemical equation for the above reaction.

Answer 1

(a) The type of reaction that occurred is addition.

(b) A suitable catalyst for this reaction is Nickel (Ni) (or Palladium (Pd)/Platinum (Pt)).

(c) The balanced chemical equation for the reaction (Ethyne to Ethane) is:

\[\ce{C2H2 + 2 H2 ->[Ni catalyst][] C2H6}\]