[DylanRowan]

For a high school research, me and my partner have to make the alkane heptadecane (C17H36) into ethyl ethanoate.
So, we agreed that we had to use the method "Cracking" in order to make an alkane and an alkene. We ended up with C8H16 + C9H20.
After that, we splitted and researched on our own. I couldn't come up with anything, but he did. He suggested that C8H16 had to become C2H4 using oxidative cleavage, so we later use esterification. I doubted that.
He later asked our teacher, and he said it was legit.
I don't understand how oxidative cleavage works, but at least I want to know if it's possible to turn C8H16 into C2H4 using the method.
Thank you.

[Arkcon]

I suppose the first thing you'll have to consider is:  what reagent does he intend to use.  See this reference for some that work, and on which raw materials:  http://www.masterorganicchemistry.com/2011/11/01/introduction-to-oxidative-cleavage-reactions/

[Enthalpy]

Or would further cracking provide ethene, together with propene, butenes and more? To my understanding, it happens in refineries. Would the process be difficult in the lab?