Paraffin oil contains a mixture of high molecular mass alkanes - VCE - SSCE Chemistry - Question 5 - 2007 - Paper 1

Alumina serves as a catalyst in this reaction, helping to increase the reaction rate and efficiency of the cracking process.

The balanced equation for the reaction can be represented as:

$C_{17}H_{36} \rightarrow C_{2}H_{4} + C_{n}H_{m}$

where C_{n}H_{m} represents the other alkane product.

The balanced equation for the addition of bromine to ethene is:

$C_{2}H_{4} + Br_{2} \rightarrow C_{2}H_{4}Br_{2}$

The balanced equation for the complete combustion of ethene is:

$C_{2}H_{4} + 3O_{2} \rightarrow 2CO_{2} + 2H_{2}O$

The balanced equation for the reaction of ethene with steam in the presence of a catalyst at 300°C is:

$C_{2}H_{4} + H_{2}O \rightarrow C_{2}H_{5}OH$

Compound A is likely to have the structure:

H   H
 |   |
H---C---C---Cl
 |   |
H   H

Systematic name: 1,2-Dichloroethane.

Compound B, also having the molecular mass of 78.5 g mol-1, could be a structural isomer:

    Cl
     |
H---C---C---H
 |   |
H   H

Systematic name: 1,1-Dichloroethane.

The structural formula for compound C is:

   O
   ||
H---C---C---OH
   |   |
   H   H

Systematic name: Ethanoic acid.