Final answer:
Electrolysis of sodium acetate and sodium propionate does not result in the formation of alkanes such as ethane, propane, or butane. Instead, it results in the generation of gases and other side reactions. None of the provided multiple-choice options (A. ethane, B. propane, C. butane) are correct for the electrolysis of these sodium salts.
Step-by-step explanation:
When an aqueous solution containing sodium acetate and sodium propionate is electrolysed, the products are not simple hydrocarbons like ethane, propane, or butane. Electrolysis of these sodium salts would not typically result in the formation of alkanes, as the process does not involve the conditions needed for such organic synthesis. Instead, electrolysis can lead to the evolution of gases, such as hydrogen at the cathode and oxygen at the anode, and potentially other side reactions depending on the electrolysis conditions, but not the formation of alkanes.
Sodium propionate, when dissolved in water, will lead to the formation of propionate ions and sodium ions. Similarly, sodium acetate will dissociate into acetate ions and sodium ions. These ions do not recombine to form hydrocarbons upon electrolysis. The formation of hydrocarbons such as ethane, propane, or butane requires specific organic synthesis reactions that are not applicable in the context of electrolysis of these salts.
Therefore, the correct answer to the multiple-choice question is: None of these.