The data given below are for vapour phase reactions at constant pressure.
C2H6→∙C2H5+∙H; ΔH=420 kJ mol−1
∙C2H5→C2H4+∙H; ΔH=168 kJ mol−1
The enthalpy change for the reaction for the given reaction is :
2∙C2H5→C2H6+C2H4
i) C2H6→∙C2H5+∙H;ΔH=420 kJ/mol
ii) ∙C2H5→C2H4+∙H;ΔH=168 kJ/mol
iii) C2H4+∙H→∙C2H5;ΔH=−168 kJ/mol
Adding (i) and (iii) we get
C2H6+C2H4→2∙C2H5;
ΔH=420−168=252 kJmol−1
So, ΔH′=−252 kJmol−1