An alkane (molecular mass 72) produces only one monochloro derivative. Give IUPAC name of the compound . Give reasons.

Explanation

As the alkane `(C_nH_(2n+2))` on monochlorination produces only one monochloro derivative , so all of its hydrogens are equivalent . The molecular mass of the alkane is `72,i.e., 12xxn+(2n+2)=72 or n=5` . Hence the alkane contains 5 carbon atoms i.e., it is one of the isomeric pentance. The pentane in which all the H-atoms are equivalent is neopentane, `(CH_3)_4` C. The IUPAC name of the compound is 2,2-dimethylpropane.