Question

In the free radical chlorination of methane, the chain initiating step involves the formation of -

• A. Chlorine radical
• B. Hydrogen chloride
• C. Methyl radical
• D. Chloromethyl radical

Answer 1

The correct option is A Chlorine radical

Chlorination of methane follows free radical mechanism
Step (i) is Chain initiation
$C{l}_2\to 2\stackrel{\bullet }{C}l$
Step (ii) is Chain propagation
$C{H}_4+\stackrel{\bullet }{C}l\to \stackrel{\bullet }{C}{H}_3+HCl$
Step (iii) is Chain termination
$\stackrel{\bullet }{C}{H}_3+\stackrel{\bullet }{C}l\to C{H}_{3}Cl$
Thus chain initiating step involves the formation of Chlorine radical. Hence, correct option is (a).