12.2 EXERCISE 2 REACTIONS OF ALKANES 1. Alkanes react with halogens in a reaction described as homolytic free radical substitution.

. Explain what is meant by the terms: i) homolytic ii) free radical iii) substitution a) Using full displayed formulae, show the four steps involved in the reaction of ethane with chlorine to give chloroethane. State the type of reaction involved in each step. b) Show by mans of additional steps how this mechanism can account for the formation of: iv) 1,1-dichloroethane v) butane 3. Thermal cracking is said to proceed via a free radical mechanism. Suggest a possible first step in the mechanism of the cracking of butane to give ethane and ethene. a) Nonane, C9H20, can be cracked to give other products. One molecule of nonane can give two molecules of ethene, one molecule of ethane and one molecule of another product. What is the molecular formula of this other product? b) Under different conditions, the cracking of nonane produces the following products: C9H20 C6H14 + C3H6 i) Give the name of each product formed ii) Suggest the formula of a free radical produced during the reaction. 4. Catalytic cracking is said to proceed via a carbocation mechanism. Draw the structure of any carbocation that might be produced during the catalytic cracking of octane.

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