Aqueous sodium succinate, NaOOC-CH2-CH2-COONa, is electrolysed (Kolbe conditions). The hydrocarbon formed at the anode is:

JEE Advanced levelSingle correct optionDifficulty 3 of 3hc183

Aqueous sodium succinate, $NaOOC - CH X_{2} - CH X_{2} - COONa$ , is electrolysed (Kolbe conditions). The hydrocarbon formed at the anode is:

Both carboxylates are oxidised and lose

CO X_{2}

to form a diradical

\cdot CH X_{2} - CH X_{2} \cdot

, which gives the alkene

CH X_{2} = CH X_{2}

. The total anode gas is ethene and

CO X_{2}