Final answer:
The question concerns the gas phase reactions of ethane dehydration, which likely refers to the pyrolysis of ethane producing ethylene and hydrogen gas or the complete combustion of ethane yielding carbon dioxide and water vapor.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question involves understanding the gas phase reactions during the dehydration of ethane (C₂H₆). Dehydration reactions typically involve the removal of hydrogen (H₂) from a compound.
In the context of the student's question about the product distribution of a gas phase reaction of ethane, possible species could include ethylene (C₂H₄) and hydrogen gas (H₂) as products of the pyrolysis (a type of dehydration reaction wherein heat is applied) of ethane.
Scheme 1.1.15 suggests two mechanisms for the dehydrogenation of ethane to form ethylene (ethylene production): a proton-hydride transfer and a radical mechanism. Both mechanisms involve the elimination of what is equivalent to a hydrogen molecule from the ethane molecule.
Additionally, when considering the combustion of ethane as depicted in Example 16.7.6, the balanced equation for the complete combustion of ethane in the presence of oxygen (O₂) would result in carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water vapor (H₂O) as products.