Ethane can be prepared by reaction of ethanol with

Options

A. hot conc. `H_(2)SO_(4)`
B. alkaline `KMnO_(4)`
C. sodium metal
D. `NAHCO_(3)`

Explanation

To prepare ethane from ethanol, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Identify the Reactants**: We start with ethanol (C2H5OH), which is an alcohol. The molecular structure of ethanol is CH3CH2OH.

2. **Understand the Reaction Type**: To convert ethanol to ethane (C2H6), we need to perform a reduction reaction. Ethanol can be dehydrated to form ethene (C2H4), and then hydrogen can be added to convert ethene to ethane.

3. **Select the Reagent**: The reagent needed for the dehydration of ethanol to ethene is concentrated sulfuric acid (H2SO4). This strong acid facilitates the elimination of water from ethanol.

4. **Perform the Dehydration Reaction**: When ethanol is heated with concentrated sulfuric acid, it undergoes dehydration to form ethene:
\[ \text{C2H5OH} \xrightarrow{\text{H2SO4, heat}} \text{C2H4} + \text{H2O} \]

5. **Hydrogenation of Ethene**: To convert ethene to ethane, we can use hydrogen gas (H2) in the presence of a catalyst (like palladium or nickel):
\[ \text{C2H4} + \text{H2} \xrightarrow{\text{catalyst}} \text{C2H6} \]

6. **Final Product**: The final product of this reaction sequence is ethane (C2H6).

### Summary of the Reaction Steps:
- Ethanol is dehydrated to form ethene using concentrated H2SO4.
- Ethene is then hydrogenated to form ethane.