Conversion of `CH_(4)` to `CH_(3)Cl` is an example of which of the following reaction

Options

A. Electrophilic substitution
B. Free radical addition
C. Nucleophilic substitution
D. Free radical substitution

Explanation

To convert methane (CH₄) to chloromethane (CH₃Cl), we can analyze the reaction step by step. This conversion is an example of a free radical substitution reaction. Here’s how the reaction proceeds:

### Step 1: Initiation
- The reaction begins with the dissociation of chlorine gas (Cl₂) into two chlorine free radicals (Cl·). This occurs when Cl₂ is exposed to heat or light, which provides the energy needed to break the Cl-Cl bond.

**Reaction:**
\[ \text{Cl}_2 \rightarrow 2 \text{Cl} \cdot \]

### Step 2: Propagation
- In the first propagation step, a chlorine free radical (Cl·) reacts with methane (CH₄). The Cl· abstracts a hydrogen atom from CH₄, forming hydrochloric acid (HCl) and a methyl radical (CH₃·).

**Reaction:**
\[ \text{CH}_4 + \text{Cl} \cdot \rightarrow \text{HCl} + \text{CH}_3 \cdot \]

- In the second propagation step, the methyl radical (CH₃·) reacts with another chlorine free radical (Cl·) to form chloromethane (CH₃Cl).

**Reaction:**
\[ \text{CH}_3 \cdot + \text{Cl} \cdot \rightarrow \text{CH}_3\text{Cl} \]

### Step 3: Termination
- The reaction can terminate when two free radicals combine to form a stable product. In this case, the Cl· and CH₃· can combine, but the primary focus is on the formation of CH₃Cl.

### Conclusion
The overall reaction can be summarized as:
\[ \text{CH}_4 + \text{Cl}_2 \rightarrow \text{CH}_3\text{Cl} + \text{HCl} \]

Thus, the conversion of CH₄ to CH₃Cl is an example of a **free radical substitution reaction**.

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