What is radical halogenation?

Question

Ella Allen · Accepted Answer

When a halogen is substituted onto a molecule via free radical substituion.

An example of this reaction is the halogenation of methane. #"CH"_4 + "C"l_2 (+"UV light")rarr "CH"_3"C"l + "HC"l# In this reaction, methane reacts with the free radical #"C"l*#. This radical is formed when the bond chlorine in a chlorine molecule is broken so that each atom gets one electron - this is known as homolytic fission. #"C"l_2(+"UV light")rarr"C"l*+"C"l*# These radicals then react with methane in a free radical halogenation reaction to form chloromethane.

Emilia Alvarez · Answer

undefined Radical halogenation is a chemical reaction in which a halogen atom, such as chlorine or bromine, replaces a hydrogen atom in an organic compound. This reaction is initiated by a halogen radical, typically generated by the homolytic cleavage of a halogen-halogen bond using heat or light. The halogen radical then abstracts a hydrogen atom from the organic compound, forming a new halogen-carbon bond and a hydrogen radical. The hydrogen radical can further react with a halogen molecule to regenerate the halogen radical, sustaining the chain reaction. Radical halogenation is commonly used in organic synthesis to introduce halogen substituents into organic molecules.