Outline some chemical equations where possible, the reaction mechanisms of catenation of carbon
Answers
Answer:
(1)---C₅H₁₂⇒C₂H₄ + C₃H₈
(2)---C₇H₁₆⇒C₃H₆ + C₄H₁₀
(3)---C₂H₄⇒C₂H₂ + H₂↑
Explanation:
In reaction (1), the compound pentane in the presence of alumina or silica at a temperature of 400K-600K, the single carbon bonds break to (re-form another or) form a new compound: an alkene(ethene) and and an alkane(propane).
Similarly, in reaction (2), heptane decomposes under the same conditions to form propene and butane.
However, in reaction (3), ethene decomposes at a temperature of about 1500⁰C where the double bonds allow to form another bond between the the two carbon atoms and release nascent hydrogen( [H] ) which further recombines to form hydrogen gas which is released.
In all the above reactions, the initial carbon bonds break down (or remain) and new bonds are formed in straight chains (or branched chains) due to the property of catenation.