Alkane to Halogenoalkane

CH4 + Cl2CH3Cl + HClOverall reaction equationConditionsultra violet lightexcess methanei.e. homolytic breaking of covalent bondsto reduce further substitutionFree radical substitutionchlorination of methane

initiation steptwo propagation stepstermination stepultra-violetminor termination stepFree radical substitution mechanism

CH3Cl + Cl2CH2Cl2 + HClOverall reaction equationsConditionsultra-violet lightCH2Cl2 + Cl2CHCl3 + HClCHCl3 + Cl2CCl4 + HClexcess chlorineFurther free radical substitutions

initiation stepAddition of H2C=CH2 repeats the same way until:polyetheneFree radical addition mechanismchain propagation stepstermination step

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