Methane reacts with an excess of chlorine gas.

[it's an equation]

I have the reactants:

CH4(g) + Cl2(g) --> ?

I was thinking single replacement, making CCl4 for sure. I'm just not sure about that hydrogen, unless it's just H2, and when balanced the full reaction is this:

CH4 (g) + 2Cl2 (g) --> CCl4 + 2H2

?

1 answer

Methane + Cl2 produces several products, starting with the replacement of 1 H with 1 Cl.
CH4 + Cl2 ==> CH3Cl + HCl
CH3Cl + Cl2 ==> CH2Cl2 + HCl
CH2Cl2 + Cl2 ==> CHCl3 + HCl
CHCl3 + HCl ==> CCl4 + HCl
I don't know the percentages formed but pure CH4 mixed with Cl2 can give any and/or all of the above. The H always goes with the lone Cl to form HCl.