2 methylbutane on reacting with bromine in the presence of sunlight gives mainly
- (A)1 - bromo -2 - methylbutane
- (B)2 - bromo -2 - methylbutane✓ Correct
- (C)2 - bromo -3 - methylbutane
- (D)1 - bromo -3 - methylbutane
Answer: (B)
Solution
Photochemical bromination is highly selective and goes for the most stable radical, which means the most substituted carbon. In 2-methylbutane that is the tertiary carbon at position 2, whose radical is steadied by three neighbouring alkyl groups; bromine's gentle, discriminating nature makes it strongly prefer this site over the primary and secondary positions. Abstracting the tertiary hydrogen and capping it with bromine gives mainly 2-bromo-2-methylbutane.
JEE Main · 2005 · 08 May 2005 · Offline · Single correct option