Consider the organic molecule 2-methylbutane ( CH₃-CH(CH₃)-CH₂-CH₃ ). If a hydride ion ( H^- ) is removed from this molecule to generate a carbocation, removal from which carbon atom will form the most stable carbocation intermediate? (Assume standard IUPAC numbering where the methyl substituent is at position 2).

Step-by-step solution

The structure of 2-methylbutane is CH₃-CH(CH₃)-CH₂-CH₃ . Removing a hydride ion ( H^- ) from different carbon atoms generates different carbocations: Removal from C1 gives a primary carbocation: CH₂⁺-CH(CH₃)-CH₂-CH₃ . Removal from C2 gives a tertiary carbocation: CH₃-C⁺(CH₃)-CH₂-CH₃ . Removal from C3 gives a secondary carbocation: CH₃-CH(CH₃)-CH⁺-CH₃ . Removal from C4 gives a primary carbocation: CH₃-CH(CH₃)-CH₂-CH₂⁺ . The stability of carbocations follows the order: tertiary > secondary > primary. The tertiary car