Which of the following statements are TRUE regarding the structural and stereoisomers of the alkyl h — Haloalkanes and Haloarenes Chemistry Question
Question
Which of the following statements are TRUE regarding the structural and stereoisomers of the alkyl halide with molecular formula $C_4H_9Br$?
💡 Solution & Explanation
A) True. The four structural isomers are 1-bromobutane, 2-bromobutane, 1-bromo-2-methylpropane, and 2-bromo-2-methylpropane. B) True. Among these four, only 2-bromobutane ($CH_3-CH(Br)-CH_2-CH_3$) has a carbon atom bonded to four different groups ($-H$, $-Br$, $-CH_3$, $-CH_2CH_3$), making it the only chiral structural isomer. C) False. 1-bromo-2-methylpropane ($(CH_3)_2CH-CH_2-Br$) has the bromine attached to a $CH_2$ group, which is bonded to only one other carbon. Therefore, it is a primary ($1^\circ$) alkyl halide. D) True. 2-bromo-2-methylpropane is a tertiary halide. Upon heterolysis of the C-Br bond, it forms the stable tert-butyl carbocation ($(CH_3)_3C^+$), which is a tertiary carbocation.