Number of alkanes obtained on electrolysis of a mixture of CH _ 3...

An aqueous solution of sodium or potassium salt of carboxylic acid is electrolysed in this reaction, resulting in the dissociation of the salt into a carboxylate ion and sodium or potassium ions. 

The total number of different alkanes are formed when the following mixture is subjected to electrolysis:

${CH}_{3}{COONa}_{\left(aq\right)}and{C}_{2}{H}_{5}{COONa}_{\left(aq\right)}$ 

In this ethane, butane and propane are formed.

${CH}_{3}COONa \to \overset{∙}{C}{H}_{3}$

${C}_{2}{H}_{5}COONa \to \overset{∙}{C}2{H}_{5}$

$2\overset{∙}{C}2{H}_{5} \to {CH}_{3} - {CH}_{2} - {CH}_{2} - {CH}_{3}$

$2C\overset{∙}{H}3 \to {CH}_{3} - {CH}_{3}$

$\overset{∙}{C}{H}_{3} + \overset{∙}{C}2{H}_{5} \to {CH}_{3} - {CH}_{2} - {CH}_{3}$

So, the total number of alkanes formed here will be $3$