F₂ + 2 NaI → 2 NaF + I₂
It is given that F₂ is light yellow / colorless in hydrocarbon solvent. The student combines Fluorine water with NaI in water. Then student adds pentane in the mixture of F₂ and NaI. After dissolution, solution was observed and a colorless pentane layer was seen. Alkanes are unreactive in nature. The C-H bond in alkane is difficult to break. whereas, F₂ is very reactive and reacts vigorously with alkanes in presence of light by free radical mechanism.It is given that the color of the solution is nearly colorless. F₂ when present in hydrocarbon solvent is light yellow/ colorless/ nearly colorless. Hence, F₂ is not reacting with hydrocarbon and there is no reaction taking place (No F₂ is present)
