is it possible to make ethanol from ethane through a chlorination / hydrolysis two-step procedure? $\ce{C2H6}$ is chlorinated in presence of sunlight to form $\ce{C2H5Cl}$ and $\ce{HCl}$.
$\ce{C2H5Cl}$ is then reacted with water to form $\ce{C2H5OH}$ + $\ce{HCl}$
Yes, it is possible.

Although ,commercially(and ironically!) alkyl halides are produced from the corresponding alcohols.
The main reason why this is so because free-radical chlorination requires high temperatures and catalysts to promote the reaction.

Theoretically, the first reaction will give good yields(and not a mixture unlike most free radical halogenations because of the simple reactant involved)

Edit:As pointed out by bon, I forgot to take into account that because its a free radical reaction, the number of possible products is a lot.So no, the first reaction will not give you good yields.