Question

Write down the laboratory method of preparation of methane and its chemical reaction with chlorine.

Hint:

Methane undergoes substitution reactions with halogens in the presence of UV light.

Answer 1

Laboratory Preparation of Methane:
Methane (\(CH_4\)) is prepared in the laboratory by heating sodium acetate with soda lime (a mixture of NaOH and CaO). \[ \text{CH}_3\text{COONa} + NaOH \rightarrow CH_4 + Na_2CO_3 \] Reaction with Chlorine:
Methane reacts with chlorine in the presence of sunlight, leading to a substitution reaction:
\[ CH_4 + Cl_2 \xrightarrow{hv} CH_3Cl + HCl \] Further chlorination leads to the formation of dichloromethane, trichloromethane, and tetrachloromethane.
\[ CH_3Cl + Cl_2 \xrightarrow{hv} CH_2Cl_2 + HCl \]