Question

Reaction for how to convert ethane into acetic acid

Answer 1

Ethane can be converted to ethanoic acid or acetic acid by catalytic oxidation. There are a number of ways, depending upon the catalyst, to achieve this conversion. The commonly used catalysts for this conversion include, protonated pentasil-type zeolite (or, H-ZSM-5), Fe/ZSM-5,  , etc. 

These catalysts require a high temperature and high pressure for achieving the acetic acid formation. For example, H-ZSM-5 works at a temperature of 393 K and a pressure of 3 MPa. Another key to successfully converting ethane to acetic acid, is the application of an oxidizer. Hydrogen peroxide is a commonly used oxidizer. Each catalyst selectively converts a fraction of ethane to ethanoic acid or acetic acid. For example, Fe/ZSM-5 has a conversion rate of about 56%, with a selectivity of 70% towards acetic acid.

Hope this helps. 

Answer 2

Explanation:

Step-1 : Teat ethane with chlorine gas in the presence of sunlight.

$C_2H_6+Cl_2\overset{h/nu }\rightarrow C_2H_5Cl+HCl$

Step-2 : Now treat the chloro-ethane with aqueous sodium hydroxide  to obtain ethanol.

$C_2H5Cl+NaOH\rightarrow C_2H_5OH+NaCl$

Step-3:  Noe carry out oxidation of alchol in an acidic medium by adding potassium dichromate.

$C_2H_OH+K_2Cr_2O_7\overset{H^+}\rightarrow CH_3COOH$