Solution

$CH_3CH_2COO^-Na^+ \xrightarrow[Heat]{NaOH + CaO} CH_3CH_3 + Na_2CO_3$ Decarboxylation takes place with soda lime (NaOH + CaO), so the missing reagent is CaO.

Concept soda lime decarboxylation

Aldehydes, Ketones and Carboxylic Acids in past papers

91 questions from this chapter have appeared across 27 exam years.