Mechanism of chlorination of methane involves three types.
Step 1. Initiation: Chlorine absorbs energy and undergoes homolysis to give chlorine free radicals.
Cl - Cl \(\overset{hy}{\longrightarrow}\) 2Cl•
Step 2 : Propagation: Chlorine free radical reacts with methane to give methyl free radical.
Cl• + CH4 → CH3• + HCl
The methyl free radical reacts with chlorine to form methyl chloride and chlorine free radical.
CH3• + Cl2 → CH3Cl + Cl•
Step 3 : Termination: Free radials combine to form stable products.
Cl• + Cl• → Cl2(Chlorine)
CH3• + CH3• → C2H6 (Ethane)
CH3• + Cl• → CH3Cl (Methyl Chloride)
