How do you account for the formation of ethane during chlorination of methane? Please explain with reactions?

Question

Answer

Answer

The methyl free radicals formed during the process may combine to form ethane.

Answer

The chlorination of methane, a process commonly known as the halogenation of methane, is an important reaction in organic chemistry. During this process, a chlorine atom substitutes a hydrogen atom in methane, resulting in the formation of a variety of chlorinated products, including ethane.

The overall reaction can be represented as follows:
CH4 + Cl2 → CH3Cl + HCl
CH3Cl + Cl2 → CH2Cl2 + HCl
CH2Cl2 + Cl2 → CHCl3 + HCl
CHCl3 + Cl2 → CCl4 + HCl

Formation of Ethane:
During the chlorination of methane, ethane is formed as an intermediate product before further chlorination occurs. The reaction occurs in a series of steps involving free radical intermediates. Here is a step-by-step explanation of how ethane is formed:

1. Initiation:
The reaction is initiated by the homolytic cleavage of chlorine molecules (Cl2) using light or heat energy. This generates two chlorine radicals (Cl•).

Cl2 → 2Cl•

2. Propagation:
In the first propagation step, a chlorine radical (Cl•) abstracts a hydrogen atom from methane, forming a methyl radical (CH3•) and hydrogen chloride (HCl).

CH4 + Cl• → CH3• + HCl

In the second propagation step, the methyl radical (CH3•) reacts with another chlorine molecule (Cl2), forming methyl chloride (CH3Cl) and a chlorine radical (Cl•).

CH3• + Cl2 → CH3Cl + Cl•

3. Formation of Ethane:
At this stage, ethane is formed as a result of the reaction between a methyl radical (CH3•) and a methyl chloride molecule (CH3Cl). This reaction is a free radical substitution reaction, where the methyl radical substitutes a hydrogen atom in the methyl chloride molecule, resulting in the formation of ethane (C2H6) and a chlorine radical (Cl•).

CH3• + CH3Cl → C2H6 + Cl•

4. Further Chlorination:
The chlorine radical (Cl•) produced in the previous step can continue the reaction by abstracting a hydrogen atom from methane, leading to the formation of additional chlorinated products.

Overall, the formation of ethane during the chlorination of methane occurs through a series of free radical reactions. The initial formation of methyl radicals and subsequent reactions involving methyl chloride and chlorine radicals result in the production of ethane before further chlorination occurs.

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