What would be the product ratio in the chlorination of

Solution:

Step 1

Chlorination of propane can be carried out as follows:-

2CH3CH2CH2 + 2Cl2   CH3CH2CH2Cl + CH3CHClCH3 + 2HCl

This reaction involves two steps

(i) Initiation :- (This step involves the splitting of chlorine molecule)

Cl2   2 Cl.

(ii) Propagation:- ( This step involves the removal of primary and secondary hydrogen)

CH3 - CH2 - CH3 +  Cl. CH3-CH2-CH2.   Or CH3-C.H-CH3  + HCl

                                (primary radical)  (secondary radical)

In the next step of propagation, the primary radical  will undergo chlorination and form 1-chloropropane.

CH3-CH2-CH2.  + Cl2 Cl-CH2-CH2-CH3 + Cl.

(1-chloropropane)

Or, CH3-C.H-CH3  + Cl2 CH3-CHCl-CH3 + Cl.

                                      (2-chloropropane)