It is different from combustion. It happens in the absence of air and hence oxidation of compounds does not take place. Generally, pyrolysis of alkanes is also named as cracking.

What is the pyrolysis of alkane?

What is Pyrolysis? Pyrolysis is described as converting the compound into smaller fragments in the absence of air with the application of heat, and it varies from combustion. It happens in the absence of air, and thus oxidation of compounds does not occur. In general, the pyrolysis of alkanes is also named cracking.

What reactions do alkanes undergo?

Alkanes undergo a substitution reaction with halogens in the presence of light. For instance, in ultraviolet light , methane reacts with halogen molecules such as chlorine and bromine. This reaction is a substitution reaction because one of the hydrogen atoms from the methane is replaced by a bromine atom.