Radical Halogenation of Alkanes

Radical halogenation of alkanes is a fundamental chemical process widely employed in organic synthesis. This reaction involves the substitution of hydrogen atoms in alkanes with halogen radicals, typically chlorine or bromine. It proceeds via a free radical mechanism initiated by the homolytic cleavage of the halogen-halogen bond under specific conditions. The resulting alkyl radicals rapidly react with halogen molecules to form halogenated alkane products. This method is crucial for the introduction of halogen functionalities into organic molecules, enabling the synthesis of various valuable compounds used in pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and materials science.