What alkane of molecular C8H18 gives a single product of monohalogenation when heated with Cl2? Write the IUPAC name for the product of monohalogenation?

1 Answer
Ernest Z.
Aug 25, 2015

The alkane is 2,2,3,3-tetramethylbutane.

Explanation:

#"C"_8"H"_18# must be highly symmetrical to give only one monochloro product.

Start with an ethane molecule, #"C"_2"H"_6#.

You need six more carbon atoms, so replace each of the six #"H"# atoms with methyl groups.

You get #"C"_8"H"_18#, and its structure is

images-a.chemnet.com

Its IUPAC name is 2,2,3,3-tetramethylbutane.

The equation for chlorination is

#("CH"_3)_3"CC"("CH"_3)_2"CH"_3 + "Cl"_2 stackrel(Δ)(→) underbrace(("CH"_3)_3"CC"("CH"_3)_2"CH"_2"Cl")_color(red)("1-chloro-2,2,3,3-tetramethylbutane") + "HCl"#

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