[kingofxbox99]

On my homework, it asks to complete the following reaction:

Two octane molecules react under high heat.

I'm confused as to what is formed - aren't alkanes typically unreactive with each other due to their saturation? Is this a catalytic reforming process? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[discodermolide]

Define high heat!

Catalytic cracking is usually done over a catalyst!

[kingofxbox99]

The question doesn't specify temperature range, just "high heat". No catalyst is given in the question.

"Octane molecules are reacted together under high heat" is the actual question.

At first I thought it would form a 16-chain hydrocarbon and hydrogen gas, but I'm not sure if that's feasible.

[discodermolide]

Just heating octane to "high heat" will get you hot octane, nothing else.

Unless the high heat is defined (and if its done with or without catalysts) I can't help you further.

[kingofxbox99]

So there are conditions where alkanes can react together?

[discodermolide]

Look up catalytic cracking.

[kingofxbox99]

So alkanes can react together and form smaller compounds?

By the way, this is just a high school chemistry course, so it can be fairly general.

[discodermolide]

Look up catalytic cracking.

[orgopete]

So alkanes can react together and form smaller compounds?

By the way, this is just a high school chemistry course, so it can be fairly general.

Sure, the bonds of water can be broken homolytically to give hydrogen and oxygen. This is what led to the explosion at the Fukushima nuclear plant. It takes ver high heat, but that will do it. Synthesis gas (methane and carbon monoxide) is produced by heating water and coal together.