A hydrocarbon of molecular mass `72gcdot mol^(-1)` gives a single monochloro derivative and two dichloro derivatives on photo chlorination. Give the structure of the hydrocarbon.

Explanation

Let the hdyrocarbon be `C_(n)H_(2n+2)`. Its molecular mass =`12n+(2n+2)=14n+2`. `:. 14n+2=72`, or n=5. so the hydrocarbon is `C_(5)H_(12)`. It forms a single monochloro derivative and so all the twelve H-atom are equivalent. Thus it must be neipentane, `(CH_3)_(4)C`. This structure is in accordance with the facts that the compound forms only one monochloro derivative and two dichloro derivatives.