Convert propanone to ethane
google.
It isn't that easy to find a link on Google. The only one I found was
https://www.organic-chemistry.org/namedreactions/wolff-kishner-reduction.shtm
Scroll down to the box labeled 'related' to find it.
To convert propanone (also known as acetone) to ethane, we need to go through a series of chemical reactions. Here's one possible way to do it:
1. The first step is to deprotonate propanone using a strong base. We can use sodium ethoxide (NaOEt) for this reaction. The base removes the acidic hydrogen from propanone to form the enolate ion.
Propanone + Sodium ethoxide -> Sodium propanone enolate + Ethanol
2. The enolate formed in step 1 can now undergo an alkylation reaction with a halide compound. Here, we will use methyl iodide (CH3I), which will add a methyl group to the enolate.
Sodium propanone enolate + Methyl iodide -> 3-Ethyl-2-methylpentan-2-ol
3. The product obtained in step 2 is an alcohol. To convert it into an alkane, we need to perform a dehydration reaction. Dehydration is commonly done using a dehydrating agent like concentrated sulfuric acid (H2SO4) or phosphoric acid (H3PO4). The alcohol loses a water molecule to form an alkene.
3-Ethyl-2-methylpentan-2-ol -> 3-Ethyl-2-methylpent-2-ene + H2O
4. Finally, to obtain ethane, we need to perform a hydrogenation reaction on the alkene. This can be achieved by using a hydrogen gas (H2) and a suitable catalyst like palladium or platinum.
3-Ethyl-2-methylpent-2-ene + H2 -> Ethane
By following these steps, we can convert propanone to ethane. It's important to note that this is just one possible pathway, and alternative reactions may also exist.