Chlorination of alkanes is a photochemical process. It is initiated by the process of A. HeterolysisB. HomolysisC. PyrolysisD. hydrolysis

The chlorination of alkanes is initiated by the process of B. Homolysis.

In homolysis, a covalent bond is broken in such a way that each atom involved in the bond cleavage retains one of the electrons from the bond. This leads to the formation of two radicals, which are highly reactive species. In the case of alkane chlorination, it involves breaking a carbon-hydrogen (C-H) bond to form two radicals, one on the carbon atom and one on the hydrogen atom. These radicals then react with chlorine molecules to substitute hydrogen atoms in the alkane with chlorine atoms, leading to the chlorination of alkanes. This process is initiated by the input of energy, often in the form of ultraviolet (UV) light, making it a photochemical process.