How many total possible products are formed in following reaction:
`CH_(3)-CH_(2)-overset(CH_(3))overset(|)CH-CH_(2)-CH_(3)underset("monochlorination")overset((Cl_(2))//hv)to`?

Options

A. (a) 4
B. (b) 6
C. (c) 5
D. (d) 8

Explanation

To determine the total possible products formed in the monochlorination of 3-methylpentane (CH₃-CH₂-CH(CH₃)-CH₂-CH₃) with Cl₂ in the presence of light (hv), we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Identify the Structure of the Compound
The structure of 3-methylpentane can be drawn as follows:
```
CH₃
|
CH₃-CH₂-CH-CH₂-CH₃
```
This compound has a total of 5 carbon atoms with a methyl group on the third carbon.

### Step 2: Understand Monochlorination
Monochlorination involves replacing one hydrogen atom from the alkane with a chlorine atom. Each hydrogen atom on the carbon atoms can potentially be replaced.

### Step 3: Identify Possible Positions for Chlorination
In 3-methylpentane, we can identify the positions of the hydrogen atoms that can be replaced:
1. Terminal CH₃ groups (2 positions)
2. CH₂ groups (2 positions)
3. The CH group (1 position)

### Step 4: List Possible Products
1. **Chlorination at Terminal CH₃ (1st position)**:
- CH₂Cl-CH₂-CH(CH₃)-CH₂-CH₃ (1 product)

2. **Chlorination at Terminal CH₃ (5th position)**:
- CH₃-CH₂-CH(CH₃)-CH₂-CH₂Cl (1 product)

3. **Chlorination at CH₂ (2nd position)**:
- CH₃-CHCl-CH(CH₃)-CH₂-CH₃ (1 product)

4. **Chlorination at CH₂ (4th position)**:
- CH₃-CH₂-CH(CH₃)-CHCl-CH₃ (1 product)

5. **Chlorination at CH (3rd position)**:
- CH₃-CH₂-CHCl-CH₂-CH₃ (1 product)

### Step 5: Identify Chiral Centers
Next, we need to check for chiral centers:
- **Product from chlorination at the CH (3rd position)** has a chiral center (two different groups attached).
- **Products from chlorination at CH₂ (2nd and 4th positions)** also have chiral centers.

### Step 6: Count Stereoisomers
1. **For the product with a chiral center at the 3rd position**: 2 stereoisomers (R and S).
2. **For products with chiral centers at the 2nd and 4th positions**: Each has 2 stereoisomers (R and S), giving a total of 4 for both.

### Step 7: Total Possible Products
Now, we can summarize:
- From the terminal CH₃: 2 products (1 from each terminal)
- From the CH₂ groups: 2 products (1 from each CH₂)
- From the CH group: 2 products (due to chirality)

Adding these:
- 2 (from terminal CH₃) + 2 (from CH₂) + 2 (from CH) = 6 total products.

### Final Count of Products
- **Total Products** = 6 (considering stereoisomers)

### Conclusion
The total number of possible products formed in the monochlorination of 3-methylpentane is **8**.