​Who produced methane in 1856 by bringing carbon disulphide vapour in contact with red hot copper and hydrogen sulphide?

Correct option is B

​The correct answer is (b) Marcelin Berthelot

Explanation:

In 1856, French chemist Marcelin Berthelot successfully synthesized methane (CH₄) by passing carbon disulphide (CS₂) vapour over red-hot copper and hydrogen sulphide (H₂S).

This experiment demonstrated that methane could be produced artificially, contributing to early research in organic chemistry and hydrocarbons.

Information Booster:

Marcelin Berthelot's Contribution:

1. Synthesis of Organic Compounds – He successfully synthesized methane, acetylene, benzene, fats, and alcohols, proving that organic compounds could be formed from simpler substances.
2. Thermochemistry – He made significant contributions to thermochemistry, formulating the principle of maximum work and studying heat energy changes in chemical reactions.
3. Historical Contributions – Berthelot explored the history of alchemy and ancient chemistry, documenting early scientific developments.
4. Political & Academic Roles – He served as the Minister of Public Instruction (1886–1887) and Minister of Foreign Affairs (1895) in France. He was also a member of the French Academy of Sciences.
5. Notable Works –
• Les Origines de l'Alchimie (Origins of Alchemy)
• Sur la Synthèse Chimique (On Chemical Synthesis)

Additional Knowledge:

• Antoine Lavoisier is known as the "Father of Modern Chemistry" and established the Law of Conservation of Mass.
• Hennig Brand: A German alchemist who discovered phosphorus (P) in the 17th century while attempting to turn urine into gold.
• John Dalton formulated Dalton's Atomic Theory, which described atoms as indivisible particles.