The Wacker process is a vital industrial catalytic pathway used globally to oxidize ethene directly — d and f Block Elements Chemistry Question
Question
The Wacker process is a vital industrial catalytic pathway used globally to oxidize ethene directly into ethanal. This process fundamentally relies on a specific transition metal chloride catalyst. Identify the primary catalyst utilized.
Answer: C
💡 Solution & Explanation
The Wacker process explicitly utilizes Palladium(II) chloride ($PdCl_2$) as the primary homogenous catalyst to oxidize the alkene. $CuCl_2$ is often present, but its strict role is merely as a co-catalyst to re-oxidize the precipitated Palladium back into its active $Pd^{2+}$ state.
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