Question

Reaction of methane with halogens under appropriate conditions is called as :

• A. Halogenation
• B. Free radical halogenation
• C. Methylation
• D. Chlorination

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

Free radical halogenation

Methane reacts with halogens given appropriate conditions as follows:

$X_2+UV\to 2X\cdot$

$X\cdot +C{H}_4\to HX+C{H}_3\cdot$

$C{H}_3\cdot +X_2\to C{H}_{3}X+X\cdot$

where $X$ is a halogen: fluorine $\left(F\right)$, chlorine $\left(Cl\right)$, bromine $\left(Br\right)$, or iodine $\left(I\right)$. This mechanism for this process is called free radical halogenation.