Q.Describe any two methods of preparation of Ethane.
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Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →Two standard laboratory routes to ethane: the Wurtz reaction on methyl bromide, and catalytic hydrogenation of ethylene.
Method 1: Wurtz reaction
An alkyl halide is treated with sodium metal in dry ether; two alkyl groups couple to form a higher alkane with twice the number of carbons.
2CH3-Br + 2Na --dry ether--> CH3-CH3 + 2NaBr
This works well for making a symmetrical alkane like ethane from methyl bromide.
Method 2: Catalytic hydrogenation of an alkene (or alkyne)
Ethylene (ethene) is hydrogenated using hydrogen gas in the presence of a finely divided metal catalyst (Ni, Pt or Pd):
CH2=CH2 + H2 --Ni/Pt/Pd, catalyst--> CH3-CH3
The pi bond of the alkene is saturated by addition of H2 across the double bond.
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