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cracking

alkane - Click to enlarge
cracking - Click to enlarge
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Chemical reaction in which a large alkane molecule is broken down by heat into a smaller alkane and a small alkene molecule. The reaction is carried out at a high temperature (600°C/100°F or higher) and often in the presence of a catalyst. Cracking is a commonly used process in the petrochemical industry.

It is the main method of preparation of alkenes and is also used to manufacture petrol from the higher-boiling-point fractions that are obtained by the fractional distillation of crude oil (unrefined petroleum).

© RM 2012. Helicon Publishing is division of RM.


 
 

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