Haloalkanes and HaloareneshardNUMERICAL

Consider all the possible structural (constitutional) isomers of the alkyl halide with the molecularHaloalkanes and Haloarenes Chemistry Question

Question

Consider all the possible structural (constitutional) isomers of the alkyl halide with the molecular formula $C_5H_{11}Br$. How many of these structural isomers possess at least one stereocenter (chiral carbon)?

Answer: 3

💡 Solution & Explanation

First, determine all structural isomers of $C_5H_{11}Br$: 1) 1-bromopentane (achiral) 2) 2-bromopentane (chiral at C2) 3) 3-bromopentane (achiral) 4) 1-bromo-2-methylbutane (chiral at C2) 5) 2-bromo-2-methylbutane (achiral) 6) 3-bromo-2-methylbutane (chiral at C3, which is bonded to $-Br$, $-CH_3$, $-H$, and $-CH(CH_3)_2$) 7) 1-bromo-3-methylbutane (achiral) 8) 1-bromo-2,2-dimethylpropane (achiral). Out of the 8 structural isomers, exactly 3 possess a chiral carbon (2-bromopentane, 1-bromo-2-methylbutane, and 3-bromo-2-methylbutane).

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