The ratio between the molar mass of an alkene(A) and an alkyne(B) with the same number of carbon atoms is 1.05. Find the molecular formulas of the two hydrocarbons then write the reaction for how we can obtain the alkene A from the alkyne B.

We start by remembering the general formulas of alkenes and alkynes:
Alkenes - CnH2n
Alkynes - CnH2n-2
We calculate the molar mass of both of these using the fact that the atomic mass of carbon is 12 and for hydrogen 1 :
 μA=12n+2n=14n grams/mole
 μB=12n+2n-2=14n-2 grams/mole
The ratio then becomes:
μA / μB=1.05
14n / 14n - 2 = 1.05
14n =(14n - 2) * 1.05
14n = 14.7n - 2.1
14.7n - 14 = 2.1
0.7n = 2.1
n = 3
Therefore, our hydrocarbons are:
A = C3H6 - propene  
B = C3H4 - propyne
The reaction to obtain propene from the propyne is:
CH≡C-CH3 + H2 --Ni---> CH2=CH-CH3
The reaction is a hydrogenation one and the condition needed for it Nickel.

CB

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

How does radiocarbon dating work?


Explain: 1. Why butanoic acid has a higher boiling point than butan1-ol? 2. Why carboxylic acids of short chain length are more soluble in water than those with longer carbon chain length?


How does HBr add across a double bond? Predict the regiochemistry when HBr is reacted with 2-methylpropene


Describe the 3 types of isomers?