What are the product(s) of each of the following reactions? Disregard stereoisomers.
c.

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Step 1: Recognize the type of reaction. The presence of Br₂ and light (hν) indicates a free radical halogenation reaction, specifically bromination.

Step 2: Identify the substrate. The given molecule is 2-methylbutane, a branched alkane.

Step 3: Determine the most reactive hydrogen for bromination. Bromine prefers to react with the hydrogen attached to the most substituted carbon due to the stability of the resulting radical. In this case, the tertiary carbon (the central carbon in the molecule) is the most substituted.

Step 4: Predict the product. Bromine will replace the hydrogen on the tertiary carbon, forming 2-bromo-2-methylbutane as the major product.

Step 5: Note that minor products may form due to bromination at other positions, but the major product is determined by the stability of the intermediate radical.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Free Radical Halogenation

Free radical halogenation is a reaction where alkenes react with halogens (like Br2) in the presence of light (hν) to form alkyl halides. The process involves the generation of free radicals, which are highly reactive species with unpaired electrons. The reaction typically proceeds through initiation, propagation, and termination steps, leading to the substitution of hydrogen atoms in the alkene with halogen atoms.

Mechanism of Radical Reactions

The mechanism of radical reactions involves several key steps: initiation (where radicals are formed), propagation (where radicals react with stable molecules to form new radicals), and termination (where radicals combine to form stable products). In the case of bromination, the bromine molecule dissociates into two bromine radicals, which then react with the alkene to form bromoalkanes. Understanding this mechanism is crucial for predicting the products of the reaction.

Regioselectivity in Electrophilic Addition

Regioselectivity refers to the preference of a chemical reaction to yield one structural isomer over others when multiple products are possible. In the context of alkene bromination, the regioselectivity is influenced by the stability of the radical intermediates formed during the reaction. The more stable radical will lead to the major product, which is often determined by the degree of substitution of the carbon atom where the bromine adds.

What are the product(s) of each of the following reactions? Disregard stereoisomers. c.