The most reactive hydrocarbon is : A. methane B. ethane C. ethylene D. acetylene
Option C is correct. In ethylene H2C= CH2, the C-C bond distance is 1.34 Angstorm, Therefore the pie electrons of the double bond are easily exposed to the reactant which readily react. In acetylene molecule HC triple bond CH , although there are two pie bonds but these electrons are not exposed to the attacking reagents due to small bond distance of C triple bond C.A catalyst mercuric ion is therefore needen in this reaction with acetylene.
