Question

Two carbon compounds A and B have the molecular formulae C₃H₈ and C₃H₆ respectively. Which one of the two is most likely to show addition reaction? Justify your answer. Explain with the help of a chemical equation, how an addition reaction is useful in vegetable ghee industry.

Answer 1

The general formula for the classification of hydrocarbons is given as:
a) Alkanes ${\mathrm{C}}_{\mathrm{n}}{\mathrm{H}}_{2\mathrm{n}+2}$
b) Alkenes ${\mathrm{C}}_{\mathrm{n}}{\mathrm{H}}_{2\mathrm{n}}$

Thus, compound A, C₃H₈ is an alkane and the compound B, C₃H₆ is an alkene.
Addition reaction takes place in unsaturated compounds. This reaction will be seen in compound B as it is an unsaturated compound.
For eg.


Vegetable oils belong to the category of unsaturated compounds as they contain double bonds. They exist as liquids at room temperature. These oils being unsaturated undergo addition reaction to add hydrogen and become saturated. These saturated products are called vegetable ghee or vanaspati ghee and they remain solid at room temperature.