Given the equation:
C2H6 + Cl2 --> C2H5Cl + HCl
This reaction is best described as
(1) addition involving a saturated hydrocarbon
(2) addition involving an unsaturated hydrocarbon
(3) substitution involving a saturated hydrocarbon
(4) substitution involving an unsaturated hydrocarbon



Answer :

The reaction is a substitution reaction
involving a saturated hydrocarbon. You
have substitued a chlorine atom for one of the hydrogen atoms, and the hydrocarbon you start with (ethane) is fully saturated.

Answer: The correct answer is Option 3.

Explanation:

Addition reaction is defined as the reaction in which more atoms are added to the given compound. No atom is lost during this reaction.

[tex]AB+C\rightarrow ABC[/tex]

Substitution reaction is defined as the reaction in which one atom replaces the other atom from the compound.

[tex]AB+C\rightarrow AC+B[/tex]

Saturated hydrocarbons are defined as the hydrocarbons in which a single bond is present between carbon and carbon atoms. The general formula for these hydrocarbons is [tex]C_nH_{2n+2}[/tex]

Unsaturated hydrocarbons are defined as the hydrocarbons which have double or triple covalent C-C bonds. They are known as alkenes and alkynes respectively. The general formula for these hydrocarbons is [tex]C_nH_{2n}[/tex] and [tex]C_nH_{2n-2}[/tex]

For the given chemical equation:

[tex]C_2H_6+Cl_2\rightarrow C_2H_5Cl+HCl[/tex]

The given hydrocarbon is saturated hydrocarbon with n = 2 and here, hydrogen atom is getting replaced by chlorine atom. Thus, it is considered as a substitution reaction of a saturated hydrocarbon.

Hence, the correct answer is Option 3.