Kolbe's electrolysis of _____ produces n-hexane at anode .

Answer

To determine the compound that produces n-hexane at the anode during Kolbe's electrolysis, we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Understand Kolbe's Electrolysis
Kolbe's electrolysis is a process where an aqueous solution of sodium or potassium salts of carboxylic acids is electrolyzed. The electrolysis leads to the formation of hydrocarbons at the anode.

**Hint:** Kolbe's electrolysis involves the electrolysis of carboxylic acid salts.

### Step 2: Identify the Required Hydrocarbon
We want to produce n-hexane (C6H14) at the anode. n-Hexane is a straight-chain alkane with six carbon atoms.

**Hint:** n-Hexane has a specific number of carbon atoms; think about how many carbon atoms are needed in the starting material.

### Step 3: Determine the Starting Material
To produce n-hexane, we need a carboxylic acid with a structure that allows for the dimerization of its radicals. The simplest way to achieve this is by using sodium salt of a carboxylic acid that has three carbon atoms, which is propanoic acid (C3H6O2).

**Hint:** Look for a carboxylic acid with three carbon atoms, as it will help in forming a six-carbon alkane.

### Step 4: Write the Reaction
During Kolbe's electrolysis of sodium propanoate (the sodium salt of propanoic acid), two propanoate ions (C2H5COO-) are oxidized at the anode to form n-hexane (C6H14) and carbon dioxide (CO2).

**Hint:** Remember that the electrolysis involves the oxidation of carboxylate ions to form radicals that can combine to form alkanes.

### Step 5: Conclusion
Thus, the compound that produces n-hexane at the anode during Kolbe's electrolysis is sodium propanoate.

**Final Answer:** Kolbe's electrolysis of sodium propanoate produces n-hexane at the anode.

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