Which of the following synthetic reaction sequences will produce propane as the major hydrocarbon pr — Hydrocarbons Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

(A) Decarboxylation of a carboxylic salt removes the $-COONa$ group, leaving an alkane with one less carbon. Sodium butanoate (4 carbons) yields propane (3 carbons). (B) Reduction of propyl chloride directly converts the $C-Cl$ bond to a $C-H$ bond, yielding propane. (C) Corey-House couples the methyl group from the cuprate with the ethyl group from the bromide, forming propane. (D) Kolbe's electrolysis of sodium propanoate ($CH_3CH_2COONa$) couples two ethyl radicals at the anode, yielding butane ($C_4H_{10}$), not propane.