In the presence of ultraviolet light, ethane and chlorine react to give a mixture of products. What are the products of this reaction?

The reaction that is occuring is a substitution reaction as ethan is already a saturated molecule. The ultraviolet light provides the energy needed to break the bonds between hydrogen and carbon in ethane so that the chlorine atoms can replace the hydrogen ones.

Ethane's chemical formula is CH3CH​3 ​and since chlorine is a diatomic gas, its formula is Cl2

The equation representing this reaction is therefore:

CH​3CH​3 +Cl​2 ->CH2​ClCH2Cl+H​2

So the products of the reation are 1,2-dichloro ethane and hydrogen gas

SW
Answered by Sarah W. Chemistry tutor

47302 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

How do you describe the process of recrystallisation to purify a product?


Give the molecular formula of benzene. Give the Kekule structure of benzene and then explain why this structure is not correct. Give the accepted structure for benzene (5 marks).


An aldehyde CH3CH2CH2CHO reacts with potassium cyanide (KCN) to form a racemic mixture of two stereoisomers of CH3CH2CH2CH(OH)CN. A)Explain why a racemic mixture is formed and b)describe how you would distinguish between 2 samples of the stereoisomers


How can I predict the shape of complex ions from their formulae?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning