Question

how to you convert ethane into acetic acid

Answer 1

I'm seriously VERY rusty in my ochem but here's a possibility? Although more than likely faulty.

Since you have an alkane use Br2 to put a bromine on the end carbon making it H3C-CH2Br, then add in a base to use the nucleophile OH-, making it H3C-CH2OH, then use H2CrO4/H2O to turn that ethanol into acetic acid.

Answer 2

C2H6+H2S04=C2H5S04H
C2H5S04H+H20=C2H5OH+H2SO4H
C2H5OH+(o)=CH3CH0+H2O
CH3CH0+(O)=C2H5COOH
Since you have an alkane use Br2 to put a bromine on the end carbon making it H3C-CH2Br, then add in a base to use the nucleophile OH-, making it H3C-CH2OH, then use H2CrO4/H2O to turn that ethanol into acetic acid.