Identify product E and G. State conditions for step 1. State one industrial application of step 1. Write an equation for the formation of methane.

i) Identify product

• Polymer E: Propene undergoes polymerization to form poly(propene) (also known as polypropylene). $$\boxed{\text{Poly(propene)}}$$
• Compound G: Propane ($\text{C}_3\text{H}_8$) undergoes cracking to form methane ($\text{CH}_4$) and another product. $$\text{C}_3\text{H}_8 \rightarrow \text{CH}_4 + \text{G}$$ By balancing the atoms, G must be $\text{C}_2\text{H}_4$. This is ethene. $$\boxed{\text{Ethene}}$$
• Step 1: This is the conversion of propene ($\text{CH}_2=\text{CHCH}_3$) to propane ($\text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2\text{CH}_3$). This is a hydrogenation reaction. $$\boxed{\text{Hydrogenation}}$$

ii) State the conditions for step 1
The conditions for the hydrogenation of propene to propane are:

• Hydrogen gas ($\text{H}_2$)
• Nickel catalyst (or Platinum/Palladium)
• Heat (typically $150^\circ \text{C}$ to $200^\circ \text{C}$)

iii) State one industrial application of step 1.
One industrial application of hydrogenation (Step 1) is the hardening of vegetable oils to produce margarine.

iv) Write an equation for the reaction leading to the formation of methane.
The reaction is the cracking of propane to form methane and ethene.

$$\text{C}_3\text{H}_8\text{(g)} \rightarrow \text{CH}_4\text{(g)} + \text{C}_2\text{H}_4\text{(g)}$$