CH4 (g) + 2 Cl2 (g) → CH2Cl2 (l) + 2 HCl (g)

This is an oxidation-reduction (redox) reaction:

C-IV - 4 e- → C0 (oxidation)

4 Cl0 + 4 e- → 4 Cl-I (reduction)

CH4 is a reducing agent, Cl2 is an oxidizing agent.

Reactants:

  • CH4 – Methane source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04, Carbane (never recommended) source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27
    • Other names: M source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27, Arsh gas|Natural gas|Carbon tetrahydride|Hydrogen carbide}} source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27, CH4 source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02
    • Appearance: Colorless gas source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27; Colourless odourless compressed or liquefied gas source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04
  • Cl2
    • Names: Chlorine source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04source: NIOSH NPG, accessed: 2019-09-02, Molecular chlorine source: NIOSH NPG, accessed: 2019-09-02
    • Appearance: Greenish-yellow compressed liquefied gas with pungent odour source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04; Greenish-yellow gas with a pungent, irritating odor. [Note: Shipped as a liquefied compressed gas.] source: NIOSH NPG, accessed: 2019-09-02

Products:

  • CH2Cl2 – Dichloromethane source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04source: NIOSH NPG, accessed: 2019-09-02
    • Other names: Methylene chloride; Methylene dichloride; Solmethine; Narkotil; Solaesthin; Di-clo; Refrigerant-30; Freon-30; R-30; DCM; MDC source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27, Methylene chloride source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02source: NIOSH NPG, accessed: 2019-09-02source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04, Methylene dichloride source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02source: NIOSH NPG, accessed: 2019-09-02
    • Appearance: Colorless liquid source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27; Very volatile colourless liquid with characteristic odour source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04; Colorless liquid with a chloroform-like odor. [Note: A gas above 104°F.] source: NIOSH NPG, accessed: 2019-09-02
  • HCl – Chlorane source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27, Hydrogen chloride source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27source: wikidata, accessed: 2019-09-02source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04source: NIOSH NPG, accessed: 2019-09-02
    • Other names: Hydrochloric acid source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27source: NIOSH NPG, accessed: 2019-09-02, M source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27, Uriatic acid source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27
    • Appearance: Colorless, transparent liquid, fumes in air if concentrated source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27; Colorless gas source: wikipedia, accessed: 2019-09-27; Colourless compressed liquefied gas with pungent odour source: ICSC, accessed: 2019-09-04; Colorless to slightly yellow gas with a pungent, irritating odor. [Note: Shipped as a liquefied compressed gas.] source: NIOSH NPG, accessed: 2019-09-02