Question

Difficulty: MediumAlkanes: Properties, Reactions, and Petroleum Refining

Match each chemical process or reaction involving alkanes and petroleum refining in Column A with its corresponding chemical description or primary purpose in Column B.

  • Catalytic CrackingBreaks down long-chain hydrocarbon fractions into shorter, more economically valuable alkanes and alkenes at high temperatures using a catalyst.
  • ReformingConverts straight-chain alkanes into branched-chain or aromatic hydrocarbons to increase the octane rating of petrol.
  • Complete CombustionReacts alkanes with excess oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and water vapor as the primary products.
  • Free-Radical SubstitutionReplaces hydrogen atoms in alkanes with halogen atoms under the influence of ultraviolet light.

Answer

Catalytic Cracking matches with the thermal breakdown of long-chain hydrocarbons into shorter alkanes and alkenes. Reforming matches with converting straight-chain alkanes into branched or aromatic hydrocarbons to boost octane rating. Complete Combustion matches with reacting alkanes in excess oxygen to produce CO2CO_2 and H2OH_2O. Free-Radical Substitution matches with replacing hydrogen atoms with halogens under UV light.
Catalytic Cracking breaks larger hydrocarbon molecules into smaller, more useful molecules (alkanes and alkenes). Reforming increases fuel quality (octane rating) by isomerizing straight chains to branched chains or aromatics. Complete Combustion converts alkanes in excess oxygen to carbon dioxide and water. Free-Radical Substitution halogenates alkanes in the presence of UV light.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the primary function of Catalytic Cracking.
Cracking involves breaking heavy petroleum fractions into smaller alkanes and alkenes.
Heavy oils have low demand, whereas lighter fractions like petrol and gases have high industrial demand.
2
Identify the structural transformation involved in Reforming.
Reforming converts straight-chain alkanes into branched-chain alkanes and aromatic compounds.
Straight-chain alkanes cause engine knocking; branched and aromatic structures improve fuel efficiency by increasing the octane rating.
3
Determine the products of Complete Combustion of alkanes.
Alkanes react completely with excess oxygen to yield CO2(g)CO_2(g) and H2O(g)H_2O(g).
Hydrocarbon oxidation in excess O2O_2 yields fully oxidized carbon dioxide and water.
4
Determine the mechanism for alkane halogenation.
Halogenation of alkanes requires ultraviolet light to generate free radicals for substitution.
Alkanes are unreactive saturated hydrocarbons (paraffins) and require UV light to initiate homeolytic fission of chlorine or bromine molecules.

Key Concept

Chemical reactions of alkanes and industrial petroleum refining processes
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