Answer Happy

Thermal cracking is a process in which hydrocarbons present in crude oil are subject to high heat and temperature to break the bonds and breaking down long chain and higher-boiling hydrocarbons molecules into shorter chain and lower-boiling hydrocarbon products. By assuming that n-icosane, C₂0H42 may be cracked using thermal cracking under appropriate conditions, propose free radical reaction mechanisms of C₂0H42 to produce at least TWELVE (12) shorter chain of alkanes and alkenes as the products. Assume that the initiation steps occur at carbon-carbon bond of carbon 8 and carbon 9. Clearly show the structures/formulas of reactants, intermediates and products involved in the mechanisms. You may use the Rice-Kossiakov concept to write the mechanisms and to predict the products formed. [20 marks]