Question

2-methylbutane, on reacting with Br₂ in sunlight, gives:

A) 2,3-dibromobutane
B) 1,2-dibromobutane
C) 2-bromomethylbutane
D) 2,2-dibromobutane

Answer 1

2-methylbutane reacts with Br₂ in sunlight to form 2,2-dibromobutane because bromine atoms preferentially add to the tertiary carbon due to the increased stability of the resulting tertiary radical.

Step-by-step explanation:

When 2-methylbutane reacts with Br₂ in sunlight, it undergoes a radical halogenation reaction. This type of reaction typically results in the halogen atoms being added to the tertiary (most substituted) carbon due to the higher stability of tertiary radicals formed during the reaction. Given this, the product of the reaction between 2-methylbutane and bromine in sunlight would most likely be 2,2-dibromobutane(A), as the tertiary carbon atom is substituted with two bromine atoms.