What are alkane substitution reactions? Provide an example

Solution 16Q:

Here, we are going to discuss about alkane substitution reactions with an example.

Step1:

Alkanes are saturated open chain hydrocarbons containing carbon - carbon single bonds. Methane (CH4) is the first member of this family.

One or more hydrogen atoms of alkanes can be replaced by halogens, nitro group and sulfonic acid group. These reactions in which hydrogen atoms of alkanes are substituted are known as substitution reactions.

Step2:

As an example, chlorination of methane is given below:

                                CH4    +  Cl2