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Chemistry Forums for Students => Organic Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: xXCuteGoatXx on January 08, 2018, 04:33:10 PM

Title: Calcium acetate + heat?
Post by: xXCuteGoatXx on January 08, 2018, 04:33:10 PM

Hi!

Plain and simple; I'm wondering why calcium acetate breaks down to calcium carbonate and acetone when heated.

Thank you.

Title: Re: Calcium acetate + heat?
Post by: wildfyr on January 08, 2018, 07:05:56 PM

Plain and simple? Entropy.

Two gas molecules are better than 1 salt molecule.

Title: Re: Calcium acetate + heat?
Post by: xXCuteGoatXx on January 08, 2018, 07:11:57 PM

Quote from: wildfyr on January 08, 2018, 07:05:56 PM

Plain and simple? Entropy.

Two gas molecules are better than 1 salt molecule.

No, I meant that my question was plain and simple. Please exuse my English..

I'd love a more detailed explaination.

Thank you.

Title: Re: Calcium acetate + heat?
Post by: MangoPaws on January 09, 2018, 09:21:21 AM

The acetate ions are oxidisable and reducible. Here the two in the salt disproportionate, one is oxidised to carbonate, one reduced to acetone. The acetone is released increasing entropy of the process and the potentially the carbonate salt has an increased lattice enthalpy so the process is spontaneous when head is applied.