Organic Chemistry (8th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0321768418
ISBN 13: 978-0-32176-841-4

Chapter 4 - The Study of Chemical Reactions - Problems - Page 136: Problem 4-2 b

Answer

Free radical halogenation produces a mixture of products because the hydrogens are substituted by halogen atoms, which may occur in any combination.

Work Step by Step

When a halogen atom substitutes a hydrogen, even if the molecule has only one type of hydrogen, it's substitution creates a new compound. This new compound may have more hydrogen atoms which compete with the initial reactant for substitution via halogen atoms. So, for example, chlorination of methane produces a mixture of products such as $CH_3Cl, CH_2Cl_2, CHCl_3, CCl_4$. And if a compound has different types of hydrogen, a mixture of products is obtained.
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