Question

Which of the following methods can be used for the preparation of methane?
A)Wurtz reaction
B)Kolbe’s reaction
C)Reduction of alkyl halide
D)Hydrogenation of alkene

Answer 1

Hint: Methane is one of the simplest saturated hydrocarbons with chemical formula $C{H_4}$ .It basically consists of four hydrogen atoms and one carbon atom and it is the simplest alkane. It is a colorless and odorless gas.

Complete step by step answer:
Methane is a flammable non-toxic gas. It is a tetrahedral molecule which has four equivalent \[C - H\] bonds. This gas was introduced in the year 1776 by an Italian physicist Alessandro Volta. Moreover, it is one of the most important greenhouse gases and approximately $70\% $ of the methane emissions are linked to human activities. The structure of methane is as shown:


Further, methane on combustion gives carbon dioxide, water, heat and light. Basically the oxygen will combine with the carbon and hydrogen in the methane molecule to produce carbon dioxide and water. The reaction is as shown:
 $C{H_4}(g) + 2{O_2}(g) \to C{O_2}(g) + 2{H_2}O$ + heat+ light
Now, among the given options, reduction of alkyl halides can be used for the preparation of methane whereas all other methods are used to prepare ethane as the smallest hydrocarbon. Basically, alkyl halides on reduction with nascent hydrogen form alkanes. The preparation of methane by the reduction of alkyl halide is given as:
 $C{H_3} - Cl\xrightarrow[{{H^ + }}]{{Zn}}C{H_4}$
Hence, option C is correct.

Note:Methane alone is non-toxic but can become deadly when mixed with other gases. It is basically released during coal, natural gas and oil production and transportation. Moreover, it is used in automobiles, ovens and in water heaters as a fuel. It is also used in the generation of electricity and in gas cookers.