Describe the substitution of Bromine in methane.

      

Describe the substitution of Bromine in methane.

  

Answers


Kavungya
Procedure:
- A sample of Methane (CH4) is placed in a boiling tube and to it is added some bromine gas.
- The tube is stoppered, and the mixture shaken, then allowed to stand and exposed to ultra-violet lamp.

Observations
- The red colour of Bromine begins to fade, and the pungent smell of hydrogen bromide (HBr) gas is detectable when the stopper is removed.
- A moist blue litmus paper also turns red on dipping into the resultant mixture.

Equation
CH4(g) + Br2(g) ? CH3Br(g) + HBr(g)

Explanation - For a chemical reaction to occur, bonds must be broken. - The light energy (V.V. light) splits the Bromine molecule into free atoms, which are very reactive species. - Similarly the energy breaks the weaker carbon – hydrogen bonds, and not the stronger carbon – carbon bonds. - The free bromine atoms can then substitute (replace one of the hydrogen atoms of methane, resulting unto bromomethane and hydrogen bromide gas.
Kavungya answered the question on April 27, 2019 at 12:42


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