Thermal cracking of oct-1-ene yields smaller alkenes and alkanes

Steps:

• Thermal cracking breaks C-C bonds in oct-1-ene (C8H16) at high temperatures, forming radicals that recombine into smaller hydrocarbons.
• Possible products include ethene (C2H4), propene (C3H6), but-1-ene (C4H8), and others like methane or hydrogen.
• Identify W, X, Y, Z as typical products: assume W=ethene, X=propene, Y=but-1-ene, Z=an unlikely product like benzene.
• Select options where W, X, Y are feasible radical recombination products, excluding Z.

Why A is correct:

• A includes W, X, Y as standard small alkenes from cracking, matching free radical mechanism products.

Why the others are wrong:

• B includes Z, which is not a primary cracking product.
• C omits X and Y, missing key alkenes.
• D omits Y, incomplete set of products.

Not enough information on exact structures of W, X, Y, Z.

Final answer: A