Question

Write the formulas of the three singly chlorinated isomers formed when 2,2-dimethylbutane reacts with Cl2 in the presence of light.

Answer 1

The molecule with same molecular formula but different arrangement of atoms is said to be an isomer.

When 2,2-dimethylbutane reacts with chlorine in the presence of light gives three isomers that is $CH_{3}C(CH_{3})_{2}CHClCH_{3}$ (3-chloro-2,2-dimethylbutane), $ClCH_{2}C(CH_{3})_{2}CH_{2}CH_{3}$ (1-chloro-2,2-dimethylbutane) and $ClCH_{2}CH_{2}C(CH_{3})_{2}CH_{3}$ (1-chloro-3,3-dimethylbutane).

In above case, the molecular formula of all isomers are same i.e.$C_{6}H_{13}Cl$ but chlorine is arranged in different positions of carbon. Thus, results isomers.

The reaction is shown in the image.