Question

Why is free radical halogenation of alkanes using fluorine not performed? (Explain in 5
words or less.) (Fluorine Chemistry in Pharmaceuticals)

Answer 1

Beacuse it is an highly exothermic reaction and severly leads to an explosion. ( 5 words as you have said).

Explanation :

The relative rates of reactivity of halogens are:

fluorine (108) > chlorine (1) > bromine (7 × 10−11) > iodine (2 × 10−22).

So, Free radical halogenation of alkanes using fluorine is always avoided because fluorine is vey reactive (as we can see from the above data) which results in uncontrolled reaction with high evolution of heat ie it is highly exothermic reaction and if no care and precautions are taken it leads to an explosion.