Question

How can polyne chlorination of methane be minimized?

Answer 1

Mechanism of chlorination of methane:

1]. Initiation : chlorine gives chlorine free radical by passing U.V. light

Cl-Cl → Cl +Cl

2]. Propogation: Chlorine free radical abstracts hydrogen from methane gives methyl free radical

Cl +CH4 → CH3 +HCl

Methyl free radical gives methyl chloride and chlorine free radical

CH3 + Cl2 → CH3Cl + Cl

3]. Termination: In this step all reactions are consumed and get terminated

Cl + Cl → Cl2

CH3 + CH3 → C2H6

CH3 + Cl → CH3Cl