Question

Give an example (with equation) of the substitution reaction of an alkane.

Answer 1

Methane reacts with chlorine in the presence of sunlight to form chloromethane and hydrogen chloride.

\[\ce{\underset{Methane}{CH4} + \underset{Chlorine}{Cl2} ->[Sunlight] \underset{(or Methyl chloride)}{\underset{Chloromethane}{CH3Cl}} + \underset{chloride}{\underset{Hydrogen}{HCl}}}\]

In this reaction, one H atom of methane has been substituted (replaced) by a Cl atom, converting CH₄ into CH₃Cl.