Methane () reacts with chlorine in the presence of sunlight. If is replaced by deuterated methane () — Hydrogen Chemistry Question
Question
Methane ($CH_4$) reacts with chlorine in the presence of sunlight. If $CH_4$ is replaced by deuterated methane ($CD_4$) and tritium-substituted methane ($CT_4$), what is the correct order of the rate of the photochemical halogenation reaction?
Answer: A
💡 Solution & Explanation
Due to the kinetic isotopic effect, the bond dissociation enthalpy increases with isotopic mass ($H-H < D-D < T-T$). Therefore, the $C-H$ bond breaks much faster than the $C-D$ and $C-T$ bonds, making $CH_4$ the most reactive.
💬Ask on WhatsApp →
Still have doubts about this question?
Send it to our AI chemistry tutor on WhatsApp — gets answered in minutes