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GATE 2024 Chemical Engineering, Q29 · Chemical Technology

The correct answers are A. Catalytic hydrocracking converts heavier hydrocarbons to lighter hydrocarbons.; B. Catalytic reforming converts straight-chain hydrocarbons to aromatics.; C. Cumene is manufactured by the catalytic alkylation of benzene with propylene..

Question

Which of the following statements with reference to the petroleum/petrochemical industry is/are correct?

  • A. Catalytic hydrocracking converts heavier hydrocarbons to lighter hydrocarbons.
  • B. Catalytic reforming converts straight-chain hydrocarbons to aromatics.
  • C. Cumene is manufactured by the catalytic alkylation of benzene with propylene.
  • D. Vinyl acetate is manufactured by reacting methane with acetic acid over a palladium catalyst.

Official answer: A. Catalytic hydrocracking converts heavier hydrocarbons to lighter hydrocarbons.; B. Catalytic reforming converts straight-chain hydrocarbons to aromatics.; C. Cumene is manufactured by the catalytic alkylation of benzene with propylene.

Why

GATE 2024 official key: (A, B, C). Hydrocracking breaks heavy hydrocarbons into lighter ones (A); reforming converts paraffins/naphthenes to aromatics (B); cumene is made via benzene + propylene alkylation (C). Vinyl acetate is actually made from ethylene (not methane) + acetic acid +O2+ O₂ over a Pd catalyst, so (D) is false.

Explanation cross-checked for consistency. Final answer matches the official IIT answer key.