What alkane of molecular #C_8H_18# gives a single product of monohalogenation when heated with #Cl_2#?

1 Answer
anor277
Sep 8, 2016

#"Hexamethylethane"#

Explanation:

#(H_3C)_3C-C(CH_3)_3#. The parent hydrocarbon contains 2 quaternary carbon centres (which cannot be halogenated because it has no hydrogens to substitute), and 6 methyl centres, all of which are equivalent.

Substitution of any methyl centre gives an identical product.

#(H_3C)_3C-C(CH_3)_3 + X_2 rarr (H_3C)_3C-C(CH_3)_2CH_2X + HX#

How would you name this beast systematically?

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