When methane (CH4) combines with carbon tetrachloride , dichloromethane (CH2Cl2) is formed.
Ah, yes! When methane, our little CH4 buddy, decides to have a chemical rendezvous with carbon tetrachloride, things get interesting! They do a little dance and, voila, dichloromethane, also known as CH2Cl2, is born! It's like two chemicals swiping right on each other in the chemistry dating pool. Chemistry can be quite a matchmaker, don't you think?
To understand how methane (CH4) combines with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) to form dichloromethane (CH2Cl2), we need to look at the reaction and its steps.
Step 1: Write the balanced equation for the reaction
The balanced equation for the reaction of methane with carbon tetrachloride to form dichloromethane is:
CH4 + CCl4 → CH2Cl2 + HCl
Step 2: Identify the reaction type
This reaction is an example of a substitution reaction, where one group or atom is replaced by another in a molecule.
Step 3: Understand the mechanism
The reaction occurs through a series of steps. The reaction mechanism for this reaction involves a free radical process.
Step 4: Initiation
The reaction starts with the initiation step, where a free radical is formed. In this case, it is initiated by the use of light or heat energy. Here's the initiation step:
CCl4 → CCl3• + Cl•
Step 5: Propagation
In the propagation steps, the free radicals produced in the initiation step react with methane to produce dichloromethane. Here are the propagation steps:
Step 1: CCl3• + CH4 → CH3• + CHCl3
Step 2: CH3• + CCl4 → CH2Cl• + CCl3H
Step 6: Termination
Termination steps involve the recombination of free radicals to form stable products. Here's an example of a termination step:
2CH3• → C2H6
Overall, the reaction proceeds as follows:
CCl4 + CH4 → CH2Cl2 + HCl
In summary, when methane (CH4) combines with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), it undergoes a substitution reaction to form dichloromethane (CH2Cl2) and hydrochloric acid (HCl). The reaction proceeds through several steps, including initiation, propagation, and termination.
The reaction between methane (CH4) and carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) to form dichloromethane (CH2Cl2) is a substitution reaction called halogenation. Here's how you can understand the reaction:
1. Write the balanced chemical equation:
CH4 + CCl4 --> CH2Cl2 + HCl
2. Determine the reactants and products:
Reactants: methane (CH4) and carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)
Products: dichloromethane (CH2Cl2) and hydrogen chloride (HCl)
3. Understand the reaction mechanism:
During halogenation, one or more hydrogen atoms in methane are replaced by halogen atoms (in this case, chlorine). The carbon tetrachloride serves as a source of chlorine atoms.
The chlorine atom from CCl4 attacks the methane molecule, replacing one of its hydrogen atoms. This results in the formation of dichloromethane (CH2Cl2) and the release of hydrogen chloride (HCl).
4. Understand the structure of the products:
Methane (CH4) is a molecule consisting of one carbon atom bonded to four hydrogen atoms.
Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) is a molecule consisting of one carbon atom bonded to four chlorine atoms.
Dichloromethane (CH2Cl2) is a molecule consisting of one carbon atom bonded to two chlorine atoms and two hydrogen atoms.
Hydrogen chloride (HCl) is a molecule consisting of one hydrogen atom bonded to one chlorine atom.
Overall, the reaction between methane and carbon tetrachloride results in the substitution of a hydrogen atom in methane with a chlorine atom from carbon tetrachloride, forming dichloromethane and releasing hydrogen chloride.