Methane reacts with excess of chlorine is diffused sunlight to give the final product as

Options

A. Chloroform
B. Methyl chloride
C. Methylene chloride
D. Carbon tetrachloride

Answer

To determine the final product when methane reacts with excess chlorine in diffuse sunlight, we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Understand the Reaction Conditions
Methane (CH₄) reacts with chlorine (Cl₂) in the presence of diffuse sunlight. This indicates that the reaction will proceed via a free radical mechanism.

**Hint:** Identify the conditions of the reaction and the type of mechanism involved.

### Step 2: Initiation of the Reaction
In diffuse sunlight, chlorine molecules (Cl₂) dissociate into two chlorine radicals (Cl•):
\[ \text{Cl}_2 \xrightarrow{ds} 2 \text{Cl}• \]

**Hint:** Remember that sunlight provides the energy needed to break the Cl-Cl bond.

### Step 3: Formation of Methyl Radical
Methane reacts with a chlorine radical to form a methyl radical (CH₃•) and hydrochloric acid (HCl):
\[ \text{CH}_4 + \text{Cl}• \rightarrow \text{CH}_3• + \text{HCl} \]

**Hint:** Look for the formation of radicals in the reaction.

### Step 4: Formation of Methyl Chloride
The methyl radical (CH₃•) can react with another chlorine molecule to form methyl chloride (CH₃Cl):
\[ \text{CH}_3• + \text{Cl}_2 \rightarrow \text{CH}_3\text{Cl} + \text{HCl} \]

**Hint:** Consider how the methyl radical can further react with chlorine.

### Step 5: Further Chlorination
Methyl chloride (CH₃Cl) can further react with chlorine in the same manner to form methylene chloride (CH₂Cl₂):
\[ \text{CH}_3\text{Cl} + \text{Cl}• \rightarrow \text{CH}_2\text{Cl}_2 + \text{HCl} \]

**Hint:** Recognize that chlorination can continue, leading to more chlorinated products.

### Step 6: Formation of Chloroform
Methylene chloride (CH₂Cl₂) can react with chlorine to form chloroform (CHCl₃):
\[ \text{CH}_2\text{Cl}_2 + \text{Cl}• \rightarrow \text{CHCl}_3 + \text{HCl} \]

**Hint:** Keep track of the number of chlorine atoms being added to the molecule.

### Step 7: Formation of Carbon Tetrachloride
Finally, chloroform (CHCl₃) can react with chlorine to form carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄):
\[ \text{CHCl}_3 + \text{Cl}• \rightarrow \text{CCl}_4 + \text{HCl} \]

**Hint:** Identify the final product after all possible chlorination reactions.

### Conclusion
The final product of the reaction between methane and excess chlorine in diffuse sunlight is carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄).

**Final Answer:** Carbon Tetrachloride (CCl₄)