Ethane- (-89) Butane- (0) Methanol- (64.7) Hexane- (69) Pentadecane- (270) Heptadecane- (302) a) A mixture of pendtadecane and heptadecane can be separated by b) Which pair of compounds are easiest to separate (i) Ethane and Pentadecane (ii) Ethane and Heptadecane (iii) Butane and Hexane (iv) Butane and Heptadecane

(ii) Ethane and Heptadecane

Explanation:

The separation of all the species listed in the answer options for the question depends on the molar mass of each specie.

Ethane is a low molecular mass gas. It exists in the gaseous state at room temperature. However, heptadecane appears as a liquid because it has a greater relative molecular mass.

It is very easily to distinguish between the gas, ethane and the liquid heptadecane which is a high molecular mass alkane, hence the answer.