How many products (including stereoisomers) are expected from the monochlorination of 2,4-dimethylpentane?

Step-by-step solution

The structure of 2,4-dimethylpentane is CH ₃- CH ( CH ₃)- CH ₂- CH ( CH ₃)- CH ₃ . There are three different sets of equivalent hydrogen atoms in this molecule, leading to three structural isomers upon monochlorination: 1. Monochlorination at the primary carbons (any of the four equivalent methyl groups) yields 1-chloro-2,4-dimethylpentane: Cl - CH ₂- C ^* H ( CH ₃)- CH ₂- CH ( CH ₃)₂ . The C2 carbon is bonded to four different groups ( - CH ₂ Cl , - CH ₃ , - H , and - CH ₂ CH ( CH ₃)₂ ), making it a chiral center.