Question

(24) How does heavy water react with the following:
(a) CaC2 (b) P2O4 (c) H2SO4 (d) Al4 C3
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Answer 1

This reaction was the basis of the industrial manufacture of acetylene, and is the major industrial use of calcium carbide. At high temperatures, CaC2 reacts with water vapor to give calcium carbonate, carbon dioxide and hydrogen.

CaC2(s) + 2H2O(l) = C2H2 (acetylene gas) + Ca(OH)2(s)