When potassium acetate is electrolysed, we get

Options

A. `CH_4`
B. `C_2H_6`
C. `C_2H_2`
D. `C_2H_4`

Explanation

To determine the products formed when potassium acetate is electrolyzed, we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Understand the Electrolysis Process
Electrolysis is a chemical process that uses electricity to drive a non-spontaneous reaction. In the case of potassium acetate (CH3COOK), the electrolysis will involve breaking down the compound into its constituent parts.

**Hint:** Remember that electrolysis typically involves the breakdown of ionic compounds into their elemental forms or simpler compounds.

### Step 2: Identify the Components of Potassium Acetate
Potassium acetate consists of potassium ions (K⁺) and acetate ions (CH3COO⁻). During electrolysis, these ions will migrate towards the electrodes.

**Hint:** Consider the behavior of cations and anions in an electrolytic cell. Cations move towards the cathode and anions towards the anode.

### Step 3: Reactions at the Electrodes
At the cathode (negative electrode), reduction occurs. The acetate ions can be reduced to form hydrocarbons. The typical product when potassium acetate is electrolyzed is ethane (C2H6). At the anode (positive electrode), oxidation occurs, leading to the formation of carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydroxide ions (OH⁻).

**Hint:** Recall that reduction involves gain of electrons, while oxidation involves loss of electrons.

### Step 4: Write the Overall Reaction
The overall reaction for the electrolysis of potassium acetate can be summarized as follows:
\[ 2 \text{CH}_3\text{COOK} \rightarrow \text{C}_2\text{H}_6 + 2 \text{CO}_2 + 2 \text{KOH} + \text{H}_2 \]

This indicates that from two moles of potassium acetate, we obtain one mole of ethane, two moles of carbon dioxide, two moles of potassium hydroxide, and one mole of hydrogen gas.

**Hint:** Look for the stoichiometry in the reaction to understand the quantities of products formed.

### Step 5: Identify the Main Product
From the electrolysis of potassium acetate, the primary organic product formed is ethane (C2H6).

**Hint:** Focus on the main hydrocarbon product that is formed in significant amounts during the reaction.

### Conclusion
When potassium acetate is electrolyzed, the main product obtained is ethane (C2H6).

**Final Answer:** Ethane (C2H6)