How is hydrogen formed from zinc and methane under basic conditions?

1 Answer
Oct 9, 2016


You form the zincate ion from zinc and hydroxide, and methane and water give the so-called steam reforming reaction.


Zinc is quite an active metal, and will be oxidized by EITHER #H_3O^+# or #HO^-#. Dihydrogen is the reduction product.

#Zn(s) + 2NaOH(aq) +2H_2O(l) rarr 2Na^(+) + Zn(OH)_4^(2-) +H_2(g)uarr#

Methane gas and steam (+ energy) will give dihydrogen gas and carbon dioxide:

#CH_4(g) + 2 H_2O(l) + "energy "rarr CO_2(g) + 4H_2(g)#

Are these reactions balanced? They should be!