Which isomer of C_5H_12 will give ONE chloroalkane upon treatment with one equiv chlorine gas?

1 Answer
Oct 26, 2015

Neopentane will give only the 1 halogenation product.

Explanation:

H_3C-C(CH_3)_3 + X_2 rarr (X)H_2C-C(CH_3)_3 + H-X.

All of the methyl groups of neopentane are equivalent, and will give equivalent products on susbtitution. Cyclopentane will likewise give only the 1 substitution product, however, this formula is C_5H_10 not C_5H_12.

How should neopentane be named systematically?