Gaseous propane reacts with chlorine in the presence of ultraviolet light - VCE - SSCE Chemistry - Question 2 - 2002 - Paper 1
Question 2
Gaseous propane reacts with chlorine in the presence of ultraviolet light.
a. Name the type of reaction that occurs.
b. What is the function of the light?
c. Othe... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Gaseous propane reacts with chlorine in the presence of ultraviolet light - VCE - SSCE Chemistry - Question 2 - 2002 - Paper 1
Step 1
a. Name the type of reaction that occurs.
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Answer
The reaction between gaseous propane and chlorine in the presence of ultraviolet light is known as a substitution reaction, specifically a free radical substitution reaction. In this process, chlorine radicals replace hydrogen atoms in the propane molecule.
Step 2
b. What is the function of the light?
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The ultraviolet light serves to initiate the reaction by breaking the Cl-Cl bond in chlorine molecules, generating chlorine radicals. These free radicals are highly reactive and facilitate the substitution process with propane.
Step 3
c. Other than various chlorinated hydrocarbons, what other compound is formed in this reaction?
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Along with various chlorinated hydrocarbons, an important byproduct formed during this reaction is dichloropropane (C3H6Cl2), resulting from the substitution of two hydrogen atoms in propane.
Step 4
d. One of the possible products has the chemical formula C3H7Cl. Draw the structural formulas of all the possible isomers of C3H7Cl and give the name of one of them.
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The possible isomers of C3H7Cl include:
1-Chloropropane: CH3-CH2-CH2-Cl
2-Chloropropane: CH3-CH(Cl)-CH3
Chloropropylene: CH2=CH-CH2Cl
One of the isomers is 1-Chloropropane, with the structural formula represented as: