Which of the following is obtained as major product when excess of methane is treated with limited chlorine…
- Chloromethane
- Dichloromethane
- Trichloromethane
- Tetrachloromethane
Solution
The reaction between methane and chlorine under UV light proceeds through free radical substitution mechanisms.
The primary reaction yields chloromethane: $\text{CH}_4 + \text{Cl}_2 \xrightarrow{\text{UV light}} \text{CH}_3\text{Cl} + \text{HCl}$.
While subsequent chlorination is possible: $\text{CH}_3\text{Cl} + \text{Cl}_2 \rightarrow \text{CH}_2\text{Cl}_2 + \text{HCl}$, $\text{CH}_2\text{Cl}_2 + \text{Cl}_2 \rightarrow \text{CHCl}_3 + \text{HCl}$, $\text{CHCl}_3 + \text{Cl}_2 \rightarrow \text{CCl}_4 + \text{HCl}$,
an excess of methane with limited chlorine favors monochlorination.
The high concentration of methane increases the probability of chlorine radicals reacting with $\text{CH}_4$ rather than chlorinated derivatives.
Chloromethane is therefore the major product.
Asked in: MHT CET 2025 (05 May Shift 2)