Each question in this section has four suggested answers out of which ONE OR MORE answers will be correct. Kolbe's electrolytic synthesis gives hydrocarbons with (a) sodium succinate (b) potassium maleate (c) sodium acetate (d) malonic acid

Kolbe's electrolytic synthesis is a type of organic reaction in which carboxylate ions (RCOO-) are subjected to electrolysis, leading to the formation of the corresponding radical (R.) and ultimately to the formation of hydrocarbons through a coupling reaction (2R. -> R-R). The overall reaction can be represented as: 2 RCOO- -> R-R + 2 CO2 + 2 e-

(a) Sodium succinate: The molecular formula of sodium succinate is NaOOCCH2CH2COONa. Since the succinate ion's carbon atoms are linked via a single bond, this compound cannot undergo Kolbe's electrolytic synthesis to form hydrocarbons. (b) Potassium maleate: The molecular formula of potassium maleate is KOOCCH=CHCOOK. Since it contains a double bond between the carbon atoms (C=C), this compound is not capable of undergoing Kolbe's electrolytic synthesis for the formation of hydrocarbons. (c) Sodium acetate: The molecular formula of sodium acetate is CH3COONa. Sodium acetate contains a carboxylate group (CH3COO-), which is the necessary requirement for Kolbe's electrolytic synthesis. So, this compound can participate in the Kolbe electrolysis reaction to form hydrocarbons. (d) Malonic acid: The molecular formula of malonic acid is HOOCCH2COOH. Malonic acid contains two carboxylate groups, which have the potential to undergo Kolbe's synthesis reaction; however, the resulting radicals (CH2.) would undergo dimerization to form ethane and carbon dioxide.

Based on our analysis, the only compound that can undergo Kolbe's electrolytic synthesis to produce hydrocarbons is sodium acetate (c). Therefore, the correct answer is: (c) Sodium acetate