Which of the following is not a possible termination step in the free radical chlorination of methane?

∙ C H_{3} + C l_{2} \to C H_{3} - C l + ∙ C l

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∙ C l + ∙ C l \to C l - C l

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∙ C H_{3} + ∙ C H_{3} \to C H_{3} - C H_{3}

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∙ C H_{3} + ∙ C l \to C H_{3} - C l

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Solution

The correct option is A $∙ C H_{3} + C l_{2} \to C H_{3} - C l + ∙ C l$
In photochemical halogenation of alkane we have 3 steps,
1. Initiation
2. Propagation
3. Termination

In initiation step, radicals of halogens are formed by homolytic cleavage.
In propagation step, the product is formed by set of cyclic reaction.
In termination step, the reaction stops. This happens by the consumption of free radicals. Thus, no free radical is produced in termination step.
In the given free radical chlorination of methane the possible termination steps are :
$∙ C l + ∙ C l ⟶ C l - C l$
$∙ C H_{3} + ∙ C H_{3} ⟶ C H_{3} - C H_{3}$
$∙ C l + ∙ C H_{3} ⟶ C H_{3} - C l$

In these reaction the radical is consumed. Hence, these are possible termination step.
In (a), the radical is formed in the reaction, thus, it is not a termination step.

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