An aqueous solution of sodium or potassium salt of carboxylic acid is electrolysed in this reaction, resulting in the dissociation of the salt into a carboxylate ion and sodium or potassium ions.
The total number of different alkanes are formed when the following mixture is subjected to electrolysis:
CH3COONa(aq)andC2H5COONa(aq)
In this ethane, butane and propane are formed.
CH3COONa→C⋅H3
C2H5COONa→C⋅2H5
2C⋅2H5→CH3−CH2−CH2−CH3
2CH⋅3→CH3−CH3
C⋅H3+C⋅2H5→CH3−CH2−CH3
So, the total number of alkanes formed here will be 3