Question

Consider the following mechanism for the synthesis of ethylene dichloride:

CH₂CH₂(g) + Cl₂(g) --> CH₂CH₂Cl⁺(g) +Cl-
CH₂CH₂Cl⁺(g) + Cl-(g) --> CH₂CH₂Cl₂(g)
write the chemical equation of the overall reaction:

Answer 1

The synthesis of ethylene dichloride involves the reaction of ethylene (C2H4) with chlorine gas (Cl2) to produce ethylene dichloride (C2H4Cl2), represented by the equation C2H4(g) + Cl2(g) → C2H4Cl2(g). This halogen addition reaction is relatively mild compared to other types of reactions, like hydrogenations.

Step-by-step explanation:

The overall chemical equation for the synthesis of ethylene dichloride involves a reaction between ethylene and chlorine gas. The process typically starts with a halogen addition reaction where two chlorine atoms add across the double bond of ethylene (C2H4), a type of unsaturated hydrocarbon. The structural formula for this reaction can be written as follows:

C2H4(g) + Cl2(g) → C2H4Cl2(g)

In the presence of a chlorine molecule, ethylene transforms into ethylene dichloride, also known as 1,2-dichloroethane. This reaction is relatively mild in nature, often requiring no extreme conditions or catalysts, unlike hydrogenation reactions that typically require high pressures of hydrogen gas and a platinum or palladium catalyst.