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Free Radical Substitution
Definition: a type of substitution reaction in which a radical replaces a different atom or group of atoms
Step 1: Initiation
The Cl-Cl bond is broken via homolytic fission to form 2 free radicals. The energy required for this reaction is provided by Ultraviolet radiation.
Step 2: Propagation
In the first step methane reacts with a chlorine radical. A C-H bond is broken via homolytic fission, to form a methyl free radical and hydrogen chloride.
In the second step, the methyl radical reacts with a chlorine molecule. This forms chloromethane along with another chlorine free radical.
Propagation is a chain reaction. The chlorine free radical generated in the second step can be used in the first step. This continues until a termination step occurs.
Step 3: Termination
In the termination step, two radical join to form a molecule. The termination step stops all reactions by removing the free radicals.
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