Question

give eq. how chlorine atom one by one replaces hydrogen atom from a hydrocarbon?

Answer 1

Chlorination of methane:

In this case, the hydrogen atoms in methane are replaced one by one by chlorine atoms.

First step: Monochlorination

CH₄ + Cl₂ --> CH₃Cl + HCl
Second step: Dichlorination

CH₃Cl + Cl₂ --> CH₂Cl₂ + HCl
Third step: Trichlorination

CH₂Cl₂ + Cl2 --> CHCl₃ + HCl
Fourth and final step: Tetrachlorination

CHCl₃ + Cl2 --> CCl₄ + HCl

The final product of full chlorination of methane is tetrachloromethane, while the intermediate products are named chloromethane, dichloromethane amd trichloromethane respectively.