Hydrocarbons and Alkane Preparation Methods

Vocabulary flashcards covering alkane synthesis reactions including catalytic hydrogenation, reduction of alkyl halides, hydrogenolysis, and decarboxylation.

Catalytic Hydrogenation (Alkenes)

The reaction of an alkene with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst such as nickel at $200-300^\times\text{C}$ (or platinum/palladium at room temperature) to produce an alkane.

Vegetable Ghee Production

An industrial application of catalytic hydrogenation that converts vegetable oil (unsaturated fatty acids) into vegetable ghee.

Alkyl Halide Reduction with Zinc

A preparation method for alkanes where an alkyl halide reacts with zinc in the presence of an aqueous acid: $R-X + Zn + H^+ + X^- \rightarrow R-H + ZnX_2$.

Hydrogenolysis

Hydrogenation accompanied by bond cleavage, such as converting an alkyl halide into an alkane using a palladium-charcoal ($Pd/C$) catalyst and hydrogen: $R-X + H_2 \rightarrow R-H + H-X$.

Soda-lime

A reagent prepared by soaking quick lime ($CaO$) with caustic soda solution and drying the product.

Decarboxylation of Monocarboxylic Acids

A reaction where sodium salts of fatty acids are heated with soda-lime, eliminating a molecule of $CO$ to form alkanes.