Question

Isobutyl chloride is (1) ${\mathrm{CII}}_3{\mathrm{CII}}_2{\mathrm{CII}}_2{\mathrm{CII}}_2\mathrm{Cl}$ (2) ${\left({\mathrm{CII}}_3\right)}_2{\mathrm{CIICII}}_2\mathrm{Cl}$ (3) ${\mathrm{CII}}_3{\mathrm{CII}}_2{\mathrm{CIIClCII}}_3$ (4) ${\left({\mathrm{CIl}}_3\right)}_3\mathrm{C}\mathrm{Cl}$

Short answer

Option (4) ${\text{(CII}}_3{\text{)}}_3\text{C Cl}$.

Step-by-step solution

- Identify the Isobutyl Structure

Isobutyl refers to a structure where the central carbon is bonded to an isopropyl group and a methyl group. Look for the molecular structure that fits this description.

- Analyze Option (1)

Option (1) is ${\text{CII}}_3{\text{CII}}_2{\text{CII}}_2{\text{CII}}_2\text{Cl}$. This structure represents a straight chain of carbons with a chlorine group at the end, which is not isobutyl chloride.

- Analyze Option (2)

Option (2) is ${\text{(CII}}_3{\text{)}}_2{\text{CIICII}}_2\text{Cl}$. This structure shows two methyl groups bonded to the same carbon, not matching the isobutyl definition.

- Analyze Option (3)

Option (3) is ${\text{CII}}_3{\text{CII}}_2{\text{CIIClCII}}_3$. This has a chlorine directly bonded to the central carbon in the chain but does not represent an isobutyl group.

- Analyze Option (4)

Option (4) is ${\text{(CII}}_3{\text{)}}_3\text{C Cl}$. This structure fits with the isobutyl definition in which a central carbon bonded to an isopropyl group and a methyl group is bonded to a chlorine.

Conclusion

Based on the steps above, the correct molecular structure for isobutyl chloride is Option (4), which is ${\text{(CII}}_3{\text{)}}_3\text{C Cl}$.

Key concepts

Isobutyl Chloride

Isobutyl chloride is an organic compound commonly used in organic synthesis. To understand isobutyl chloride, we should first become familiar with the term 'isobutyl.' In organic chemistry, isobutyl refers to a carbon structure where a central carbon is bonded to an isopropyl group and a methyl group. This means we have a branching pattern rather than a straight chain, which characteristically sets isobutyl apart from other butyl groups.

When a chlorine atom is attached to this isobutyl group, we get isobutyl chloride. This specific arrangement gives the molecule some unique properties both in terms of its physical traits and its chemical reactivity. Identifying the correct structure involves recognizing this specific branching pattern and ensuring the chlorine atom is correctly bonded.

Molecular Structure Identification

Identifying molecular structures in organic chemistry involves understanding how atoms are arranged within a molecule. In the exercise, evaluating the correct structure of isobutyl chloride required us to examine four different options.

We started by looking for a structure that matched the description of isobutyl. That meant finding a central carbon atom connected to an isopropyl group and a methyl group with one chlorine atom attached. Options that represented straight chains or incorrect branching patterns were eliminated. Finally, we identified the correct structure in Option (4) as it fit the isobutyl configuration with the chlorine atom correctly placed.

Learning to identify structures like this requires practice. The more you break down and analyze different molecular configurations, the more intuitive these patterns will become.

Chemical Bonding Analysis

At the heart of molecular structure identification lies chemical bonding analysis. Chemical bonds hold atoms together in specific arrangements, dictating how atoms connect and interact. In isobutyl chloride, we are particularly interested in covalent bonds, which involve the sharing of electron pairs between atoms.

Isobutyl chloride comprises carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and chlorine (Cl) atoms. The carbon atom in the center of the isobutyl group shares electrons with hydrogen, carbon, and chlorine atoms to achieve a stable electron configuration. These bonds form a specific structural pattern:

• A central carbon atom bonded to three other carbon atoms, creating a branched (isopropyl) group.
• A methyl group (CH₃) connected to the central carbon, forming a branch.
• A chlorine atom attached to the central carbon.

Understanding these bonding relationships allows chemists to predict how the molecule will behave in different reactions or under varying conditions. The covalent bonds within isobutyl chloride provide strength and stability to the molecule, making its appropriate structure crucial for its utility in chemical reactions.