Question

During the preparation of ethane by Kolbe's electrolytic method using inert electrodes the pH of the electrolyte:

• A. increases progressively as the reaction proceeds
• B. decreases progressively as the reaction proceeds
• C. remains constant throughout the reaction
• D. may decrease of the concentration of the electrolyte is not very high

Answer 1

The correct option is A increases progressively as the reaction proceeds

Kolbe's electrolysis:
$2RCOONa+2H_{2}O\to R-R+2C{O}_2+2NaOH+H_2$
In this reaction NaOH is formed as product so as reaction proceeds solution become alkaline and pH of solution increases.