JAMB - Chemistry (2025 - No. 61)

The process that illustrates reformation of petroleum product is
hexene to hexane
cyclohexane to benzene
hexane to carbon(IV)oxide and water vapour
hexane to butane and ethane

Explanation

Reforming, specifically catalytic reforming, is a petroleum refining process used to convert low-octane, straight-chain or cyclic hydrocarbons into high-octane aromatic hydrocarbons. This process improves the quality of gasoline (petrol) and involves dehydrocyclization (cyclization and dehydrogenation). Cyclohexane (\(\text{C}_{6}\text{H}_{12}\)) is a cycloalkane that is converted into the aromatic compound benzene (\(\text{C}_{6}\text{H}_{6}\)) during this process, with the release of hydrogen gas (\(\text{H}_{2}\)). This is a key example of a reforming reaction.The general reaction is: \(\text{C}_{6}\text{H}_{12}\rightarrow \text{C}_{6}\text{H}_{6}+3\text{H}_{2}\).

A. hexene to hexane is a hydrogenation reaction (addition of hydrogen to an alkene to form an alkane), not reforming. Reforming typically involves dehydrogenation (removal of hydrogen) and cyclization.

C. hexane to carbon(IV)oxide and water vapour is the complete combustion of hexane, which produces energy but is not a petroleum refining process for product reformation.

D. hexane to butane and ethane is an example of cracking, a process that breaks down larger hydrocarbons into smaller, more valuable ones, which is distinct from reforming.

The correct answer is option B

Comments (0)

Advertisement