Question

Propane and ethene can be prepared from which of the following by using alumina or silica at 400-600°C?

Options

• Methane

• Ethane

• Pentane

• Heptane

Answer 1

Pentane

Explanation:

This thermal decomposition process is called cracking (pyrolysis). Breaking down a \(5\text{-carbon}\) alkane (Pentane, \(\text{C}_5\text{H}_{12}\)) yields a mixture of propane (\(3\text{ carbons}\)) and ethene (\(2\text{ carbons}\)).