Question

Chlorine and methane react in the presence of sunlight. There are three steps involved in this reaction which are initiation, propagation and termination. Write equations to show the steps involved in this reaction mechanism.

Answer 1

When chlorine reacts with methane in the presence of sunlight, it forms Chloromethane. The reaction is a chain reaction e.g. once it is initiated it keeps on going. It is initiated by UV-rays. then they break the bond between chlorine molecules and generate free chlorine radicals that are highly reactive.