Question

Convert acetic acid to ethane

Answer 1

Hope, it may help you.

Answer 2

The acetic acid is converted into ethane by a series of reactions.

• In the first step, the acetic acid (CH₃COOH) reduces to ethanol in the presence of LiAlH₄.
• In the second step, the ethanol converts into propane-nitrile in the presence of the catalyst, alcoholic KCN.

         CH₃COOH → CH₃CH₂OH → CH₃CH₂CN

• In the third step, the propane-nitrile undergoes hydrolysis and converts into propanoic acid.
• In the last step, the propanoic acid is reduced through Kolbe's electrolysis and converted into ethane.

        CH₃CH₂CN → CH₃CH₂COOH → CH₃CH₃