What is the process of breaking longer chain alkanes into shorter chains called?

The process of breaking longer chain alkanes into shorter chains is called cracking. This method is significant in the petroleum industry as it helps to convert heavy, less useful hydrocarbons into lighter, more valuable products such as gasoline and diesel.

Cracking typically involves the application of heat and pressure, and sometimes the addition of catalysts to facilitate the breaking of the carbon-carbon bonds in the longer alkane chains. This results in a mixture of shorter-chain hydrocarbons, which have different boiling points and chemical properties, making them more suitable for use as fuels or as feedstocks for the production of various chemicals.

In contrast, hydrolysis involves the reaction of a compound with water, oxidation refers to the loss of electrons or the addition of oxygen in a chemical reaction, and reduction is the gain of electrons or the addition of hydrogen. These processes do not pertain to the breaking of alkane chains into shorter lengths, which is why they are not applicable in this context.