Give a reason why these reagents fail to react with an alkane such as $\text{CH}_4$.
If a chlorine and ethane gas mixture is put under intense sunlight, an explosion may occur because the reaction is very fast and exothermic. With more carefully controlled conditions, the reaction below takes place: $\text{C}_2\text{H}_6 + \text{Cl}_2 \rightarrow \text{C}_2\text{H}_5\text{Cl} + \text{HCl}$. What is the name of this reaction type?
Write the mechanism for this reaction using equations, and name the stages involved.
This reaction may also give organic by-products besides $\text{C}_2\text{H}_5\text{Cl}$. Draw the structural formulae of three possible organic by-products. Two of your by-products need to contain $4$ carbon atoms per molecule. Briefly explain how each by-product could arise.
If a mixture of chlorine and ethane gas is exposed to strong sunlight, an explosion can occur because the reaction is rapid and exothermic. Under more carefully controlled conditions, however, the reaction below occurs: $\text{C}_2\text{H}_6 + \text{Cl}_2 \rightarrow \text{C}_2\text{H}_5\text{Cl} + \text{HCl}$
Experiment shows that, in this kind of reaction, primary, secondary and tertiary hydrogen atoms are substituted by chlorine atoms at different rates, as shown in the table. Use this information, together with the number of each type of hydrogen atom (primary, secondary or tertiary) in the molecule, to predict the relative ratio of the two possible products J and K from the chlorination of 2-methylpropane. Explain your reasoning. Give the ratio $\text{J}/\text{K}$.
In the boxes below, draw the skeletal formulae of four different structural isomers of $\text{C}_5\text{H}_{11}\text{Cl}$ that could be produced by chlorinating 2-methylbutane. Show any chiral centres in your structures with an asterisk (*). $\text{2-methylbutane} + \text{Cl}_2 \rightarrow \text{C}_5\text{H}_{11}\text{Cl} + \text{HCl}$