Chemsheets AS 1138 (Free Radical Substitution 2)
Chemsheets AS 1138 (Free Radical Substitution 2)
Chemsheets AS 1138 (Free Radical Substitution 2)
OVERALL EQUATION For every H atom replaced by F / Cl / Br / I, one molecule of F2 / Cl2 / Br2 / I2 is used
and one molecule of HF / HCl / HBr / HI is released.
In order to replace many H atoms with F / Cl / Br / I atoms, an excess of F2 / Cl2 / Br2 /
I2 is used. In order to only replace one H atom, an excess of the alkane /
halogenoalkane is used.
INITIATION When exposed to ultraviolet light, a molecule of a halogen F2 / Cl2 / Br2 / I2 breaks apart
into two halogen atom free radicals F / Cl / Br / I. The ultraviolet light provides
the energy to break the covalent bond between the two halogen atoms.
(Free radicals are species with an odd number of electrons – they are very reactive –
the atom with the odd number of electrons is shown with a )
fluorine: F2 2F bromine: Br2 2Br
chlorine: Cl2 2Cl iodine: I2 2I
(2) ………………….…………………………………………………………………….
(2) ………………….…………………………………………………………………….
(2) ………………….…………………………………………………………………….
(2) ………………….…………………………………………………………………….
(2) ………………….…………………………………………………………………….
Write an equation to show how each of the molecules shown could be formed by a termination step in the
reactions shown.
e.g. 1,3-dibromobutane in
CH3-CH3 CBr3-CBr3 ………………………………………………..……………………..…………….