Which of the following compound can form during the free radical chlorination of methane?

Options

A. `CH_(3)Cl`
B. `C_(2)H_(6)`
C. `C Cl_(4)`
D. All of these

Answer

To determine which compounds can form during the free radical chlorination of methane (CH₄), we need to understand the process of free radical chlorination and the potential products that can result from it.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Free Radical Chlorination**:
- Free radical chlorination involves the reaction of methane (CH₄) with chlorine (Cl₂) in the presence of light (or heat). This process generates free radicals, which are highly reactive species.

2. **Initiation Step**:
- When chlorine gas (Cl₂) is exposed to light, it undergoes homolytic cleavage to form two chlorine radicals (Cl•):
\[ \text{Cl}_2 \xrightarrow{\text{light}} 2 \text{Cl}• \]

3. **Propagation Steps**:
- The chlorine radical (Cl•) can react with methane (CH₄) to form a methyl radical (CH₃•) and hydrochloric acid (HCl):
\[ \text{Cl}• + \text{CH}_4 \rightarrow \text{CH}_3• + \text{HCl} \]
- The methyl radical (CH₃•) can further react with another chlorine radical (Cl•) to produce chloromethane (CH₃Cl):
\[ \text{CH}_3• + \text{Cl}• \rightarrow \text{CH}_3\text{Cl} \]

4. **Further Reactions**:
- The chloromethane (CH₃Cl) can undergo further chlorination. For example, the chloromethane can react with another chlorine radical to form dichloromethane (CH₂Cl₂):
\[ \text{CH}_3\text{Cl} + \text{Cl}• \rightarrow \text{CH}_2\text{Cl}_2 + \text{HCl} \]
- This process can continue, leading to the formation of trichloromethane (CHCl₃) and finally tetrachloromethane (CCl₄) if enough chlorine is present:
\[ \text{CH}_2\text{Cl}_2 + \text{Cl}• \rightarrow \text{CHCl}_3 + \text{HCl} \]
\[ \text{CHCl}_3 + \text{Cl}• \rightarrow \text{CCl}_4 + \text{HCl} \]

5. **Possible Products**:
- The main products formed during the free radical chlorination of methane include:
- Chloromethane (CH₃Cl)
- Dichloromethane (CH₂Cl₂)
- Trichloromethane (CHCl₃)
- Tetrachloromethane (CCl₄)

### Conclusion:
During the free radical chlorination of methane, the following compounds can be formed:
- CH₃Cl (Chloromethane)
- CH₂Cl₂ (Dichloromethane)
- CHCl₃ (Trichloromethane)
- CCl₄ (Tetrachloromethane)