Question

how to convert acetic acid to methane?

Answer 1

By Decarboxylation of Acetic Acid. The Name of this reaction is Oakwood reaction.

Explanation:
Decarboxylation converts Carboxylic Acid into Alkane having one Carbon atom less than the parent Carboxylic Acid.

Answer 2

Acetic acid is converted to Methane by the process of a reaction known as Oakwood Reaction. In this reaction decarboxylation of this acetic acid is performed to give a lower alkane.

The steps can be listed as follows:

a.   Ethanoic acid is first treated with “Sodium Hydroxide to form Sodium Ethanoate”.

b.   This Sodium Ethanoate is further treated with strong heat in presence of Sodium Hydroxide and Calcium Oxide (Soda Lime) to give Methane and Sodium Carbonate.