Question

What is the homodesmotic reaction for the decomposition of butane?

Answer 1

How about this one?

Explanation:

`"2CH"_3"CH"_2"CH"_2"CH"_3 → "CH"_3"CH"_3 + "CH"_3"CH"_2"CH"_2"CH"_2"CH"_2"CH"_3`

It satisfies the requirements of a homodesmotic reaction because:

1. Each side has eight `sp^3` hybridized carbon atoms.
2. Each side has four `"CH"_3` groups and four `"CH"_2` groups.