Final answer:
Haloalkanes, or alkyl halides, are formed by substitution reactions where a hydrogen atom is replaced by a halogen atom in an alkane. The process often involves catalysis by ultraviolet light or heat, resulting in products like methyl chloride.
Step-by-step explanation:
Haloalkanes, also known as alkyl halides, can be produced through a type of chemical reaction called a substitution reaction.
In this process, a hydrogen atom in an alkane molecule is replaced by a halogen atom such as chlorine or bromine. A common example is the reaction of methane with chlorine gas in the presence of ultraviolet light, which results in the formation of methyl chloride, a type of haloalkane.
Halogens are highly reactve non-metals that can react with alkanes, especially when a catalyst like ultraviolet light or heat is provided.
During halogenation, a halogen molecule, such as chlorine (Cl₂) or bromine (Br₂), cleaves into two reactive halogen radicals, which then substitute the hydrogen atoms in the alkane, forming a haloalkane.
For example, in the industrial production of haloalkanes, a high concentration of an alkane is used to react with chlorine, minimizing the side products and enhancing the formation of haloalkanes like chloroethane or bromoethane through a substitution mechanism.
The newly formed haloalkane exhibits a polar carbon-halogen bond, which makes it more reactive in further polar reactions.