The simplest chiral alkane will have how many carbon atoms ?

Options

A. 4
B. 6
C. 7
D. 8

Explanation

To determine the simplest chiral alkane, we need to understand the concept of chirality and how it relates to the structure of alkanes.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Chirality**:
- Chirality refers to a property of a molecule that makes it non-superimposable on its mirror image. For a carbon atom to be chiral, it must be bonded to four different substituents.

2. **Identifying the Carbon Atom**:
- A carbon atom has four valencies, meaning it can form four bonds. To be chiral, each of these bonds must be to a different group or atom.

3. **Finding the Simplest Chiral Alkane**:
- The simplest alkane is methane (CH₄), which does not have a chiral carbon because all four substituents (hydrogens) are the same.
- The next simplest alkane is ethane (C₂H₆), which also does not have a chiral carbon.
- Propane (C₃H₈) still does not have a chiral carbon.
- When we reach butane (C₄H₁₀), we still do not have a chiral carbon.
- However, when we consider 2-methylpropane (C₅H₁₂), we find that the central carbon atom in this structure is bonded to four different groups: a hydrogen, a methyl group, and two ethyl groups.

4. **Conclusion**:
- The simplest chiral alkane is 2-methylpropane, which contains **4 carbon atoms**.

### Final Answer:
The simplest chiral alkane will have **4 carbon atoms**.

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