Numerical answer
Free-radical monochlorination of 2-methylbutane gives a mixture of monochloro products. The total number of distinct monochloro compounds formed, counting each enantiomer as a separate compound, is
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Answer: 6
2-Methylbutane, , has four sets of non-equivalent hydrogens, so four constitutional monochloro isomers are formed:
(i) 1-chloro-2-methylbutane (from the on side; is a stereocentre: 2 enantiomers);
(ii) 2-chloro-2-methylbutane (tertiary; no stereocentre: 1);
(iii) 2-chloro-3-methylbutane (from the ; and - only is a stereocentre: 2 enantiomers);
(iv) 1-chloro-3-methylbutane (from the terminal of the ethyl end; no stereocentre: 1). Total . Radical chlorination is not very selective but all positions react, so all six compounds are formed.
(i) 1-chloro-2-methylbutane (from the on side; is a stereocentre: 2 enantiomers);
(ii) 2-chloro-2-methylbutane (tertiary; no stereocentre: 1);
(iii) 2-chloro-3-methylbutane (from the ; and - only is a stereocentre: 2 enantiomers);
(iv) 1-chloro-3-methylbutane (from the terminal of the ethyl end; no stereocentre: 1). Total . Radical chlorination is not very selective but all positions react, so all six compounds are formed.
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