Explain the machanism of chlorinantion of methane.

Explanation

Mechanism of chlorination of methane involves three types.
(1) Initiation: Chlorine absorbs energy and undergoes homolysis to give chlorine free radicals.
`Cl - Cl overset(" "hy" ")(rarr) 2Cl^(.)`
Step 2 : Propagation: Chlorine free radical reacts with methane to give methyl free radical.
`Cl^(.) CH_(4) rarr CH_(3)^(.) + HCl`
The methyl free radical reacts with chlorine to form methyl chloride and chlorine free radical.
`CH_(3)^(.) + Cl_(2) rarr CH_(3)Cl + Cl^(.)`
Step 3: Termination: Free radials combine to form stable products.
`Cl^(.) + Cl^(.) rarr Cl_(2) ("Chlorine")`
`CH_(3)^(.) + CH_(3)^(.) rarr C_(2) H_(6)` (Ethane)
`CH_(3)^(.) + Cl^(.) rarr CH_(3) Cl` (Methyl Chloride)