Question

how to convert methane into n octane?

Answer 1

Hi,

Methane can be converted to octane by Wurtz reaction.

$$\begin{gathered} {\text{CH}}_4\left(\mathrm{Methane}\right)\underset{\mathrm{sunlight}}{\overset{{\mathrm{Cl}}_2}{\to }}{\mathrm{CH}}_3\mathrm{Cl}\underset{\mathrm{wurtz}\mathrm{reaction}}{\overset{\mathrm{Na},\mathrm{dry}\mathrm{ether}}{\to }}{\mathrm{CH}}_3{\mathrm{CH}}_3\underset{\mathrm{sunlight}}{\overset{{\mathrm{Cl}}_2}{\to }}{\mathrm{CH}}_3{\mathrm{CH}}_2\mathrm{Cl}\underset{\mathrm{wurtz}\mathrm{reaction}}{\overset{\mathrm{Na},\mathrm{dry}\mathrm{ether}}{\to }}{\mathrm{CH}}_3{\mathrm{CH}}_2{\mathrm{CH}}_2{\mathrm{CH}}_3\left(\mathrm{Butane}\right) \\ {\mathrm{CH}}_3{\mathrm{CH}}_2{\mathrm{CH}}_2{\mathrm{CH}}_3\left(\mathrm{Butane}\right)\underset{\mathrm{sunlight}}{\overset{{\mathrm{Cl}}_2}{\to }}{\mathrm{CH}}_3{\mathrm{CH}}_2{\mathrm{CH}}_2{\mathrm{CH}}_2\mathrm{Cl}\underset{\mathrm{wurtz}\mathrm{reaction}}{\overset{\mathrm{Na},\mathrm{dry}\mathrm{ether}}{\to }}{\mathrm{CH}}_3{\mathrm{CH}}_2{\mathrm{CH}}_2{\mathrm{CH}}_2{\mathrm{CH}}_2{\mathrm{CH}}_2{\mathrm{CH}}_2{\mathrm{CH}}_3\left(\mathrm{Octane}\right) \\ \mathrm{Regards} \end{gathered}$$