Question

Which of the following are the products obtained if one molecule of chlorine reacts with methane in the presence of UV light?

• A. Methyl chloride
• B. Hydrogen chloride
• C. Ethyl chloride
• D. Water

Answer 1

Answer: (A), (B)

Hydrogen chloride

During chlorination of methane, hydrogen atoms are substituted by chlorine atoms. The reaction takes place as follows:

${\mathrm{CH}}_4\left(g\right)+{\mathrm{Cl}}_2\left(g\right)\underset{}{\overset{\mathrm{UV}\mathrm{Light}}{\to }}{\mathrm{CH}}_3\mathrm{Cl}\left(g\right)+\mathrm{HCl}\left(g\right)\mathrm{Methane}\mathrm{Chlorine}\mathrm{Chloro}\mathrm{Hydrogen}\mathrm{methane}\mathrm{chloride}$
As only one molecule of chlorine is available, reaction cannot proceed further. Thus, the products obtained are methyl chloride and hydrogen chloride gas.