MHT CET202617 April 2026Morning ShiftChemistryHydrocarbonsActual
When excess of chlorine is used in the chlorination of methane find the major product obtained.
Options
- AChloromethane
- BDichloromethane
- CTrichloromethane
- DTetrachloromethane
Correct answer
D. Tetrachloromethane
Step-by-step solution
Chlorination of methane is a free radical substitution reaction. When an excess of chlorine is used, all the hydrogen atoms of methane are successively replaced by chlorine atoms. The sequence of reactions is: CH₄ + Cl₂ CH₃Cl + HCl CH₃Cl + Cl₂ CH₂Cl₂ + HCl CH₂Cl₂ + Cl₂ CHCl₃ + HCl CHCl₃ + Cl₂ CCl₄ + HCl Thus, the final major product obtained is tetrachloromethane ( CCl₄ ). Answer: Tetrachloromethane