How can you convert methane into chloroform by a substitution reaction? Explain with the help of a chemical equation.

Explanation

Methane undergoes substitution reaction with excess of chlorine gas in the presence of sunlight to give chloroform. The reaction involves gradual replacement of hydrogen, one atom at a time.
`CH_4 + Cl_2 overset("liv")(rarr) underset("Chloromethane")(CH_3Cl) + HCl`
`CH_3Cl + Cl_2 overset("liv")(rarr) underset("Dichlomethane")(CH_2Cl_2) + HCl`
`CH_2Cl_2 + Cl_2 overset("liv")(rarr) underset("Chloroform") + HCl`