In the industrial Wacker process, ethene () is converted directly to acetaldehyde using an aqueous s — Aldehydes Ketones and Carboxylic Acids Chemistry Question
Question
In the industrial Wacker process, ethene ($CH_2=CH_2$) is converted directly to acetaldehyde using an aqueous solution of $PdCl_2$. What is the critical role of the added $CuCl_2$ and air ($O_2$)?
Answer: B
💡 Solution & Explanation
During the oxidation of ethene, $Pd(II)$ is reduced to $Pd(0)$ metal. To make the process continuous, $CuCl_2$ oxidizes $Pd(0)$ back to $Pd(II)$, and the air re-oxidizes the copper.
💬Ask on WhatsApp →
Still have doubts about this question?
Send it to our AI chemistry tutor on WhatsApp — gets answered in minutes