Question

Aqueous solution of which of the following compounds will produce acetylene gas when electrolysed. (A) Sodium fumarate (B) Sodium maleate (C) Sodium acetate (D) Both (B) and (A)

Short answer

The correct answer for which aqueous solution will produce acetylene gas when electrolysed is (D) Both (B) and (A), as both Sodium fumarate and Sodium maleate have carbon-carbon double bonds in their structures that can break during electrolysis, leading to the formation of acetylene gas. Sodium acetate does not have any carbon-carbon double bonds, so it has a negligible chance of producing acetylene gas during electrolysis.

Step-by-step solution

Identify the compounds

First, let's write down the formulas of the given compounds: (A) Sodium fumarate - \(C_4H_2Na_2O_4\) (B) Sodium maleate - \(C_4H_2Na_2O_4\) (C) Sodium acetate - \(C_2H_3NaO_2\) Both sodium fumarate and sodium maleate are organic compounds with a carboxylic acid group, and sodium acetate is also an organic compound with a carboxylic acid group. We need to analyze their structures and how they can react during electrolysis to produce acetylene gas.

Analyze the possibility of acetylene gas formation

Acetylene has a chemical formula of \(C_2H_2\). We will look at the possibility of breaking the carbon-carbon (C-C) or carbon-oxygen (C-O) bonds during electrolysis and forming acetylene. (A) Sodium fumarate has a carbon-carbon double bond in its structure, which might break during electrolysis, resulting in the formation of acetylene gas. (B) Sodium maleate also has a carbon-carbon double bond in its structure, which might break during electrolysis and form acetylene gas. (C) Sodium acetate doesn't have any carbon-carbon double bonds in its structure. So, the possibility of forming acetylene gas during electrolysis is very low.

Determine the correct answer

Comparing the possibilities of acetylene gas formation during electrolysis, we find out that: - Sodium fumarate (A) can produce acetylene gas during electrolysis due to the presence of a carbon-carbon double bond in its structure. - Sodium maleate (B) can also produce acetylene gas during electrolysis due to the presence of a carbon-carbon double bond in its structure. - Sodium acetate (C) has a negligible chance of producing acetylene gas during electrolysis because it does not have any carbon-carbon double bonds in its structure. Therefore, the correct answer for which aqueous solution will produce acetylene gas when electrolysed is (D) Both (B) and (A).

Key concepts

Acetylene Formation

Acetylene, a simple alkyne, is represented by the formula \(C_2H_2\) and is characterized by its carbon-carbon triple bond. During electrolysis, certain organic compounds can undergo transformations to yield acetylene. This process usually involves breaking existing bonds in the molecules involved.

For instance, when sodium fumarate or sodium maleate solutions undergo electrolysis, the carbon-carbon double bonds present in these compounds may break. This breakage can lead to the formation of the desired triple-bonded acetylene. The presence of these multiple bonds (double or triple) is crucial because they can be elongated or stretched during electrolysis, making it feasible to form an acetylene molecule.

The conditions for the electrolysis must be carefully controlled to ensure that the desired product (in this case, acetylene) is formed efficiently. The involvement of electrolytes and the application of appropriate voltage are essential for achieving a successful conversion.

Carbon-Carbon Double Bonds

Carbon-carbon double bonds are found in alkenes, and they play a vital role in organic reactions and formations. In our specific context, sodium fumarate and sodium maleate feature these double bonds. During electrolysis, these double bonds provide a point of weakness where bond cleavage can happen.

• Bond Cleavage: The energy applied during electrolysis can break these double bonds. Once broken, it provides an opportunity for rearrangement into new structures, like the formation of acetylene's triple bond.
• Reactivity: The presence of these bonds makes compounds like fumarate and maleate reactive under appropriate conditions, which makes them suitable candidates for certain electrochemical reactions.

These double bonds undergo transformation reactions, enabling the molecules to convert into entirely different compounds. The structural change from a double bond in molecules to a triple bond in acetylene showcases the transformation potential within organic chemistry through electrolysis.

Organic Compounds Structures

Organic compounds are diverse and complex, characterized by carbon-based structures that might include varied functional groups. In discussing sodium fumarate and sodium maleate, their structures grant them potential roles in producing new compounds like acetylene through processes like electrolysis.

• Understanding the Structure: Sodium fumarate and sodium maleate both share the basis of being carboxylic acids with additional chain structures. Their structures include carbon-carbon double bonds crucial for electrochemical reactivity.
• Role of Functional Groups: Functional groups such as carboxyls can affect how these compounds behave during reactions, including how bonds are broken or formed during electrolysis.
• Electrolysis Impact: During electrolysis, electrolytes and applied electrical energy alter organic structures by breaking specific bonds, thereby changing molecular configurations.

Practicing with these compounds in electrolysis unveils more about their structural behavior and reaction paths, opening avenues for tailored chemical processes.