Which German chemist used the technique of preparing hydrocarbons by electrolysis of solutions of salts of fatty acids?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D
Explanation
The correct answer is option 4 i.e. Hermann Kolbe.
- Hermann Kolbe developed the Kolbe electrolysis, a technique for preparing hydrocarbons by electrolyzing solutions of alkali metal salts of carboxylic acids (fatty acids).
- The process involves decarboxylation and dimerization of the resulting alkyl radicals, leading to the formation of alkanes. This method is significant in organic chemistry for synthesizing symmetrical alkanes.