a) The name of this reaction is the decarboxylation reaction. It is called so because it involves the removal (decarboxylation) of a carboxyl group (-COOH) from the sodium alkanoate, resulting in the formation of an alkane.
b) CaO (calcium oxide) acts as a catalyst in this reaction. It helps in facilitating the decarboxylation process by providing the necessary heat and creating suitable reaction conditions. It aids in the thermal decomposition of the sodium alkanoate, promoting the removal of the carboxyl group and the formation of the alkane.
c) The sodium salt needed for the preparation of propane is sodium propanoate (CH3CH2COONa). The chemical reaction can be represented as follows:
CH3CH2COONa + NaOH -> CH3CH2H + NaCO3
d) One application of this reaction is in the production of methane gas (CH4) for industrial and energy purposes. Methane can be obtained by the decarboxylation of sodium acetate (CH3COONa). This reaction is employed in various anaerobic environments, such as biogas production from organic waste and the generation of natural gas from biomass or coal. Methane has significant applications as a fuel source and a precursor for the production of chemicals and plastics.