Alkanes Principle reaction type: free radical substitution Mechanism: (chain reaction) substitution
Free radical substitution chlorination of methane i.e. homolytic breaking of covalent bonds Overall reaction equation CH4 + Cl2 CH3Cl + HCl Conditions ultra violet light excess methane to reduce further substitution
Free radical substitution mechanism ultra-violet Cl Cl Cl initiation step H3C H Cl H3C H Cl two propagation steps H3C Cl Cl H3C Cl Cl H3C Cl H3C Cl termination step minor termination step H3C H3C CH3 CH3
Further free radical substitutions Overall reaction equations CH3Cl + Cl2 CH2Cl2 + HCl CH2Cl2 + Cl2 CHCl3 + HCl CHCl3 + Cl2 CCl4 + HCl Conditions ultra-violet light excess chlorine