Why alkyl halides are not generally prepared in laboratory by free radical halogenation of alkanes?

Explanation

### Step-by-Step Text Solution:

1. **Understanding Free Radical Halogenation**:
Free radical halogenation is a method used to introduce halogen atoms into alkanes. This process involves the formation of free radicals and can occur under the influence of heat or light.

2. **Formation of Isomeric Products**:
One of the main reasons alkyl halides are not generally prepared via free radical halogenation in the laboratory is due to the formation of multiple isomeric products. When alkanes undergo halogenation, different hydrogen atoms can be replaced by halogen atoms, leading to various structural isomers of the resulting alkyl halides.

...