How to bring about the conversion of methane to ethane?

Answer 1

Although the economics would never qualify for an industrial process, there are a number of ways that this could be accomplished.

Since alkanes themselves are not very reactive, the first step would be to halogenate the methane. This could be accomplished by reacting the methane with elemental bromine (Br2) with light to initate free radical halogenation.

There are a number of ways that the methyl bromide produced could be coupled.

Reaction with elemental sodium, the "Wurtz reaction", would be the simplest.

Another method would be to prepare (CH3)2CuLi by first reacting the methyl bromide with Li to convert it into methyl lithium (CH3Li). The methyl lithium could be converted into
(CH3)2CuLi by reaction with CuI.

(CH3)2CuLi will react with methyl bromide to produce ethane.

Answer 2

Why on earth would you want to do that?
The simple answer is that small quantities of ethane are produced during the free radical halogenation of methane by chlorine in the presence of UV light.

Answer 3

u could treat it with (CH3)2CuLi and ethane will be formed.this reaction is called Corey House synthesis.
else u could also do carry out Wurtz reaction but u need to convert methane to methyl halide by treating it with a halide.a free radical substitution reaction takes place.a
after obtaining methyl halide,treat it with sodium in presence of dry ether,ethane will be produced.

Answer 4

Step up conversions are frequently performed via WURTZ reaction. CH4 + Cl2 ( interior the presence of sunshine) supplies CH3Cl. 2 CH3Cl + Na ( in ether medium ) supplies C2H6 (ethane) and a pair of NaCl.