Question

The Kolbes electrolysis proceeds via

• A. nucleophilic substitution mechanism
• B. electrophilic addition mechanism
• C. free radical mechanism
• D. electrophilic substitution reaction

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

The Kolbes electrolysis proceeds via free radical mechanism, e.g., when sodium propionate is electrolyzed, n-butane, ethane, ethylene are obtained. The propionate ion discharges at the anode to form free radicals. $C_2{H}_{5}CO{O}^{-}\to C_2{H}_{5}CO{O}^{\cdot }+e^{-}$ $C_2{H}_{5}CO{O}^{\cdot }\to C_2{H}_5^{\cdot }+C{O}_2$ $2C_2{H}_5^{\cdot }\to C_4{H}_{10}$ $C_2{H}_5^{\cdot }+C_2{H}_5^{\cdot }\to C_2{H}_4+C_2{H}_6$