I am studying homolytic and heterolytic cleavage. In the halogenation of methane, a methyl radical is formed as an intermediate which indicates homolytic cleavage.    Why is the cleavage homolytic and not heterolytic? What is the main determinate of when heterolytic or homolytic cleavage occurs? How big does the electronegativty difference need to be?

Chemistry
10th Edition
ISBN:9781305957404
Author:Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan A. Zumdahl, Donald J. DeCoste
Publisher:Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan A. Zumdahl, Donald J. DeCoste
Chapter1: Chemical Foundations
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1RQ: Define and explain the differences between the following terms. a. law and theory b. theory and...
icon
Related questions
Question
100%

I am studying homolytic and heterolytic cleavage. In the halogenation of methane, a methyl radical is formed as an intermediate which indicates homolytic cleavage. 

 

Why is the cleavage homolytic and not heterolytic?

What is the main determinate of when heterolytic or homolytic cleavage occurs?

How big does the electronegativty difference need to be?

 

Expert Solution
Step 1

During halogenation of alkane, homolytic cleavage takes place. For the heterolytic cleavage there should be electronegativity difference.

steps

Step by step

Solved in 3 steps

Blurred answer
Similar questions
Recommended textbooks for you
Chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry
ISBN:
9781305957404
Author:
Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan A. Zumdahl, Donald J. DeCoste
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry
ISBN:
9781259911156
Author:
Raymond Chang Dr., Jason Overby Professor
Publisher:
McGraw-Hill Education
Principles of Instrumental Analysis
Principles of Instrumental Analysis
Chemistry
ISBN:
9781305577213
Author:
Douglas A. Skoog, F. James Holler, Stanley R. Crouch
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Organic Chemistry
Organic Chemistry
Chemistry
ISBN:
9780078021558
Author:
Janice Gorzynski Smith Dr.
Publisher:
McGraw-Hill Education
Chemistry: Principles and Reactions
Chemistry: Principles and Reactions
Chemistry
ISBN:
9781305079373
Author:
William L. Masterton, Cecile N. Hurley
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Elementary Principles of Chemical Processes, Bind…
Elementary Principles of Chemical Processes, Bind…
Chemistry
ISBN:
9781118431221
Author:
Richard M. Felder, Ronald W. Rousseau, Lisa G. Bullard
Publisher:
WILEY