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

47404 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

What are moles and how do you calculate them?


What type of intermolecular forces arise between halogen molecules? Explain how they arise.


What is chirality?


Explain the trend in first ionization energy down group 2. (3 marks)


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