Organic mechanisms

Question 1

What is monosubstitution in radical substitution?

Answer 1

e.g. one H from cyclohexane replaced by one Cl

Question 2

Outline the radical substitution process for cyclohexane + Cl2

Answer 2

1) Initiation
Chlorine splits by homolytic fission by UV light
Cl2 -> Cl• + Cl•

2) Propagation
C6H12 + •Cl -> C6H11• + HCl
•C6H11 + Cl2 -> C6H11Cl + Cl•

3) Termination
Cl• + Cl• -> Cl2
•C6H11 + •Cl -> C6H11Cl