Answer to Question #8181 in Organic Chemistry for Harmeet

Question

why do heavy fractions undergo cracking? what types of useful products result?

Answer 1

In the& cracking process heavy fractions are converted to lighter ones, which would typically be gasoline. One way to do this is to subject the fractions to heat and pressure which weakens the bonds that keep large molecules held together. The combining process is a reverse of the cracking process, in that they are creating more complex fractions. This is done by heat and pressure, with the combination of an additional catalysis.Cracking is the breakdown of a large alkane into smaller, more useful alkanes and alkenes.