What type of reaction forms a monoalkylated product from an alkane?

The formation of a monoalkylated product from an alkane occurs through a substitution reaction. In this type of reaction, a hydrogen atom in the alkane is replaced by an alkyl group. This can typically involve reacting the alkane with an alkyl halide in the presence of a strong base or through methods like radical halogenation, where a halogen atom replaces a hydrogen atom on the alkane, leading to the formation of a substituted alkane.

This process is characterized by the exchange of one functional group for another, which is the hallmark of substitution reactions. The formation of a monoalkylated product specifically implies that only one hydrogen has been replaced, resulting in a compound that retains the alkane's structure with the addition of the new alkyl group.

Other types of reactions, such as combustion, addition, and elimination, do not lead to monoalkylation. Combustion reactions involve the burning of hydrocarbons in the presence of oxygen, resulting primarily in carbon dioxide and water. Addition reactions involve combining two or more reactants to form a single product, while elimination reactions involve the removal of a small molecule from a larger one, typically resulting in the formation of a multiple bond. None of these processes facilitate the selective