n-Butane on monochlorination under photochemical conditions gives an optically active compound "P". "P" on further chlorination gives dichloro compounds.
The number of dichloro compounds obtained (ignore stereoisomers) is :
(A)3
(B)4✓ Correct
(C)5
(D)6
Answer: (B)
Solution
Monochlorination of n-butane under light gives, as the optically active product P, 2-chlorobutane, CH3−CHCl−CH2−CH3, which has a stereocentre at C-2. A second chlorine can replace a hydrogen at each of its four distinct carbons: at C-1 to give 1,2-dichlorobutane, at C-2 to give 2,2-dichlorobutane, at C-3 to give 2,3-dichlorobutane, and at C-4 to give 1,3-dichlorobutane. Ignoring stereoisomers, four dichloro compounds are obtained.
JEE Main · 2026 · 08 Apr 2026 · Shift 2 · Single correct option
