The present invention relates to a method for photochemical chlorination of alkanes comprising the steps of providing a mixture of at least one polychloride according to general formulae (I) [N-R1aR2bR3cR4d][Cl-(Cl2)n] wherein the moities R1, R2, R3 and R4 are
alkyl, preferably C1-C6
alkyl, or
aryl, preferably C6-C10
aryl, wherein R1, R2, R3 and R4 can be the same or different from each other, wherein a, b, c, d are independently from each other 0, 1, 2 or 3, wherein the sum of a+b+c+d always has to be 4; wherein n> 0, preferably n >= 1, more preferably n = 1-6, even more preferably n = 1, 2, 3, 4, and at least one
alkane according to general formulae (II) CR5eR6fR7gR8h wherein the moities R5, R6, R7 and R8 are H,
alkyl,
aryl,
halogen or two of R5, R6, R7 and R8 being part of a non-aromatic cyclic ring
system, wherein R5, R6, R7 and R8 can be the same or different from each other, wherein at least one of the moities R5, R6, R7 and R8 is H, wherein e, f, g, h are independently from each other 0, 1, 2 or 3, wherein the sum of e+f+g+h always has to be 4; and irridiating the mixture at a
wavelength in in the range between 350 nm and 1000 nm, preferably in the visable range between 400 nm and 800 nm, preferably between 420 nm and 780 nm, more preferably between 420 nm and 600 nm.