Textbook Question
(a) Rank the following bonds in terms of the strength of their bond dipole (1 = weakest, 6 = strongest).
(b) Which carbon has the largest δ⁺ ?
C―F, C―Br, C―I, C―H, C―C, C―Cl
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Ch. 15 - Structural Identification II: Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
Mullins1st EditionOrganic Chemistry: A Learner Centered ApproachISBN: 9780137566471
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Table of contents
- Ch. 2 - General Chemistry Translated: Finding the Electrons114
- Ch. 3 - Alkanes and Cycloalkanes: Properties and Conformational Analysis109
- Ch. 4 - Acids and Bases: Electron Flow144
- Ch. 5 - Chemical Reaction Analysis: Thermodynamics and Kinetics118
- Ch. 6 - Stereoisomerism: Arrangement of Atoms in Space112
- Ch. 7 - Principles of Green (Organic) Chemistry3
- Ch. 8 - Alkenes I: Properties and Electrophilic Additions158
- Ch. 9 - Alkenes II: Oxidation and Reduction150
- Ch. 10 - Alkynes: Electrophilic Addition and Redox Reactions101
- Ch. 11 - Properties and Synthesis of Alkyl Halides: Radical Reactions108
- Ch. 12 - Substitution and Elimination: Reactions of Haloalkanes172
- Ch. 13 - Alcohols, Ethers and Related Compounds: Substitution and Elimination239
- Ch. 14 - Structural Identification I: Infrared Spectroscopy and Mass Spectrometry54
- Ch. 15 - Structural Identification II: Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy93
- Ch. 16 - Metals in Organic Chemistry48
- Ch. 17 - Carbonyl Addition Reactions: Aldehydes and Ketones45
- Ch. 18 - Nucleophilic Acyl Substitution I: Carboxylic Acids18
- Ch. 19 - Nucleophilic Acyl Substitution II: Carboxylic Acid Derivatives39
- Ch. 20 - Enolates: Carbonyl Addition and Substitution13
- Ch. 21 - Conjugated Systems I: Stability and Addition Reactions56
- Ch. 22 - Conjugated Systems II: Pericyclic Reactions54
- Ch. 23 - Benzene I: Aromatic Stability and Substitution Reactions64
- Ch. 24 - Benzene II: Reactions Influenced by the Aromatic Ring62
- Ch. 25 - Amines: Structure, Reactions, and Synthesis27
- Ch. 26 - Amino Acids, Proteins, and Peptide Synthesis9
- Ch. 27 - Carbohydrates, Nucleic Acids, and Lipids54
Mullins1st EditionOrganic Chemistry: A Learner Centered ApproachISBN: 9780137566471Not the one you use?Change textbook
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Mullins 1st EditionCh. 15 - Structural Identification II: Nuclear Magnetic Resonance SpectroscopyProblem 2
Mullins 1st EditionCh. 15 - Structural Identification II: Nuclear Magnetic Resonance SpectroscopyProblem 2Chapter 14, Problem 2
Radical chlorination, a reaction studied in Chapters 5 and 11, replaces a hydrogen with a chlorine. Assuming there is no regioselectivity (all hydrogens can react equally), how many different chloroalkanes are possible upon reaction of each alkane with one equivalent of Cl₂
(a) 
(b) 
(c) 
(d) 
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the structure of each alkane from the images provided. The first image is cyclohexane, the second is propane, the third is pentane, and the fourth is 2-methylbutane.
For cyclohexane, recognize that all hydrogen atoms are equivalent due to the symmetry of the ring. Therefore, replacing any hydrogen with chlorine will yield the same chloroalkane.
For propane, note that there are two types of hydrogen atoms: those on the terminal carbons and those on the central carbon. Replacing a hydrogen on the terminal carbon will yield 1-chloropropane, while replacing a hydrogen on the central carbon will yield 2-chloropropane.
For pentane, identify the different types of hydrogen atoms based on their positions: terminal, secondary, and tertiary. Each unique position will yield a different chloroalkane upon chlorination.
For 2-methylbutane, consider the different types of hydrogen atoms: those on the primary carbons, secondary carbons, and the tertiary carbon. Each type will result in a different chloroalkane when replaced by chlorine.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Radical Chlorination
Radical chlorination is a chemical reaction where a chlorine atom replaces a hydrogen atom in an alkane. This process involves the formation of free radicals, typically initiated by heat or light, leading to the homolytic cleavage of Cl₂ into two chlorine radicals. These radicals then react with the alkane, abstracting a hydrogen atom and forming a chloroalkane.
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Using the Hammond Postulate to describe radical chlorination.
Regioselectivity
Regioselectivity refers to the preference of a chemical reaction to occur at one location over others in a molecule. In the context of radical chlorination, regioselectivity would dictate which hydrogen atoms are more likely to be replaced by chlorine. However, the question assumes no regioselectivity, meaning all hydrogens are equally likely to react, simplifying the analysis of possible products.
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Chloroalkanes
Chloroalkanes are organic compounds where one or more hydrogen atoms in an alkane are replaced by chlorine atoms. The number of different chloroalkanes formed depends on the structure of the original alkane and the positions of the hydrogen atoms. In the absence of regioselectivity, each unique hydrogen position can potentially lead to a different chloroalkane product.