Decarboxylation is a common method for preparing aromatic hydrocarbons. Which of the following compo — Hydrocarbons Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

Heating a sodium salt of a carboxylic acid with soda-lime removes the $-COONa$ group. (A) Sodium benzoate yields benzene. (B) Sodium p-toluate yields toluene. (C) Sodium ethanoate yields methane, which is an aliphatic, not benzenoid, hydrocarbon. (D) Benzene sulphonic acid undergoes desulphonation with steam, not typical soda-lime decarboxylation.