The concentration aqueous solution of potassium salts of acetic acid and propanoic acid are electrolysed. Which of the following hydrocarbons is/are produced ?

Options

A. `CH_(3)CH_(2)CH_(2)CH_(2)CH_(3)`
B. `CH_(3)CH_(2)CH_(2)CH_(3)`
C. `CH_(3)CH_(2)CH_(3)`
D. `CH_(3)CH_(3)`

Answer

To solve the problem of identifying the hydrocarbons produced from the electrolysis of concentrated aqueous solutions of potassium salts of acetic acid and propanoic acid, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Electrolysis**:
- Electrolysis is a process where electrical energy is used to drive a non-spontaneous chemical reaction. In this case, we are electrolyzing the potassium salts of acetic acid (potassium acetate) and propanoic acid (potassium propanoate).

2. **Electrolysis of Potassium Acetate**:
- The chemical formula for potassium acetate is \( \text{CH}_3\text{COOK} \).
- During electrolysis, the acetate ion (\( \text{CH}_3\text{COO}^- \)) undergoes homolytic cleavage, leading to the formation of a methyl radical (\( \text{CH}_3^\cdot \)) and the release of carbon dioxide (\( \text{CO}_2 \)).
- Reaction:
\[ \text{CH}_3\text{COO}^- \rightarrow \text{CH}_3^\cdot + \text{CO}_2 \]

3. **Electrolysis of Potassium Propanoate**:
- The chemical formula for potassium propanoate is \( \text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2\text{COOK} \).
- Similarly, during electrolysis, the propanoate ion (\( \text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2\text{COO}^- \)) will produce an ethyl radical (\( \text{CH}_2\text{CH}_3^\cdot \)) along with the release of carbon dioxide.
- Reaction:
\[ \text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2\text{COO}^- \rightarrow \text{CH}_2\text{CH}_3^\cdot + \text{CO}_2 \]

4. **Combining Radicals**:
- Now we have two types of radicals: \( \text{CH}_3^\cdot \) from acetate and \( \text{CH}_2\text{CH}_3^\cdot \) from propanoate.
- The possible combinations of these radicals can lead to the formation of different hydrocarbons:
- **Combination of two methyl radicals**:
\[ \text{CH}_3^\cdot + \text{CH}_3^\cdot \rightarrow \text{C}_2\text{H}_6 \quad (\text{Ethane}) \]
- **Combination of a methyl radical and an ethyl radical**:
\[ \text{CH}_3^\cdot + \text{CH}_2\text{CH}_3^\cdot \rightarrow \text{C}_3\text{H}_8 \quad (\text{Propane}) \]
- **Combination of two ethyl radicals**:
\[ \text{CH}_2\text{CH}_3^\cdot + \text{CH}_2\text{CH}_3^\cdot \rightarrow \text{C}_4\text{H}_{10} \quad (\text{Butane}) \]

5. **Conclusion**:
- The hydrocarbons produced from the electrolysis of potassium salts of acetic acid and propanoic acid are:
- Ethane (\( \text{C}_2\text{H}_6 \))
- Propane (\( \text{C}_3\text{H}_8 \))
- Butane (\( \text{C}_4\text{H}_{10} \))

### Final Answer:
The hydrocarbons produced are Ethane, Propane, and Butane.