Pentane Reacts with Chlorine Under UV Light
How many distinct monochlorinated compounds form when pentane is treated with chlorine gas and illuminated with UV light?
a) 3
b) 4
c) 6
d) 5
Answer:
The correct answer is a) 3
When pentane (a five-carbon alkane) is treated with chlorine under UV illumination, there are three distinct monochlorinated compounds including stereoisomers. The compounds are 1-chloropentane, 2-chloropentane, and 3-chloropentane. They are different because the chlorine attaches to a different carbon atom in each case.
Therefore, when pentane is treated with chlorine gas and illuminated with UV light, three distinct monochlorinated compounds, including stereoisomers, will form.