Methane can be converted into ethane by the reactions

Options

A. chlorination followed by the reaction with alcoholic KOH
B. chlorination followed by the reaction with aqueous KOH
C. chlorination followed by Wurtz reaction
D. chlorination followed by decarboxylation

Explanation

To convert methane (CH₄) into ethane (C₂H₆), we can follow a two-step reaction process involving chlorination and a Wurtz reaction. Here’s the step-by-step solution:

### Step 1: Chlorination of Methane
1. **Reaction**: Methane (CH₄) is subjected to chlorination in the presence of chlorine gas (Cl₂).
2. **Process**: This reaction involves the substitution of one hydrogen atom in methane with a chlorine atom, resulting in the formation of methyl chloride (CH₃Cl).
3. **Equation**:
\[ CH₄ + Cl₂ \rightarrow CH₃Cl + HCl \]

### Step 2: Wurtz Reaction
1. **Reaction**: The next step involves the Wurtz reaction, where two moles of methyl chloride (CH₃Cl) are reacted with sodium (Na) in the presence of heat.
2. **Process**: In this reaction, sodium acts as a reducing agent, facilitating the coupling of two methyl groups to form ethane (C₂H₆).
3. **Equation**:
\[ 2 CH₃Cl + 2 Na \xrightarrow{heat} C₂H₆ + 2 NaCl \]

### Final Reaction Overview
Combining both steps, we can summarize the overall reaction for converting methane to ethane as follows:
\[ CH₄ + Cl₂ \xrightarrow{light} CH₃Cl + HCl \\ 2 CH₃Cl + 2 Na \xrightarrow{heat} C₂H₆ + 2 NaCl \]

### Conclusion
Thus, methane can be converted into ethane through chlorination followed by the Wurtz reaction.

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