Question

The hydrocarbon obtained by treating sodium ethanoate with soda lime is

Short answer

Answer: Methane (CH4)

Step-by-step solution

Write the given compounds and their formulas

Sodium ethanoate has the formula CH3COONa, and soda lime is a mixture of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and calcium oxide (CaO).

Determine the reaction between sodium ethanoate and soda lime

Sodium ethanoate reacts with soda lime (NaOH) in a decarboxylation process. The carboxyl group (-COO-) is removed from the sodium ethanoate molecule, leaving behind a R- (alkyl group) connected to a hydrogen atom. The general formula for decarboxylation is: R-COO^- + NaOH -> R-H + CO2 + Na^+ In our case, sodium ethanoate (CH3COONa) reacts with soda lime (NaOH), as follows: CH3COO^- + NaOH -> CH3-H + CO2 + Na^+ which can be simplified as: CH3COONa + NaOH -> CH4 + CO2 + Na^+

Identify the resulting hydrocarbon

The hydrocarbon obtained from the decarboxylation of sodium ethanoate with soda lime is CH4, known as methane.