What are the products when methane reacts with chlorine under UV light?

Unlock all questions

This demo includes only 20 questions. Upgrade to access hundreds of questions, flashcards, exam simulations, and disable ads.

Full question bankExam simulationsFlashcards
From $24.99Unlock all

Study for the IGCSE Edexcel Chemistry Test. Access flashcards and multiple choice questions with hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Multiple Choice

What are the products when methane reacts with chlorine under UV light?

Explanation:
Free-radical substitution of methane by chlorine under UV light starts when Cl2 splits into chlorine radicals. These radicals pull a hydrogen off methane to give hydrogen chloride and a methyl radical. The methyl radical then reacts with another Cl2 molecule to form chloromethane and regenerate a chlorine radical, allowing the process to continue. Net result for the first substitution is CH4 + Cl2 → CH3Cl + HCl. So the immediate products are chloromethane and hydrogen chloride. Chlorine gas and methane are the starting materials, not products. If light and chlorine persist, further substitutions can yield dichloromethane and beyond, but the initial products are CH3Cl and HCl.

Free-radical substitution of methane by chlorine under UV light starts when Cl2 splits into chlorine radicals. These radicals pull a hydrogen off methane to give hydrogen chloride and a methyl radical. The methyl radical then reacts with another Cl2 molecule to form chloromethane and regenerate a chlorine radical, allowing the process to continue. Net result for the first substitution is CH4 + Cl2 → CH3Cl + HCl. So the immediate products are chloromethane and hydrogen chloride. Chlorine gas and methane are the starting materials, not products. If light and chlorine persist, further substitutions can yield dichloromethane and beyond, but the initial products are CH3Cl and HCl.

More Multiple Choice Questions
Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy