Which of the following alkanes will give a single product with a methylene insertion?

Options

A. `Me_(4)C`
B. `CH_(3)CH_(2)CH_(3)`
C. `Me_(2)CHCHMe_(2)`
D. `MeCH_(2)C(Me)_(2)CH_(2)CH_(3)`

Answer

To solve the question of which alkane will give a single product with a methylene insertion, we need to analyze the types of hydrogen atoms present in each alkane. The key point to remember is that alkenes with only one type of hydrogen will yield a single product during methylene insertion.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Identify the Alkanes**:
The question provides four options of alkanes. Let's denote them as follows:
- Option A: Me4C (or C(CH3)4)
- Option B: CH3-CH2-CH3 (Propane)
- Option C: CH3-C(CH3)2-CH2-CH3 (2-Methylbutane)
- Option D: CH3-CH2-C(CH3)2-CH2-CH3 (2,3-Dimethylbutane)

2. **Analyze Option A (Me4C)**:
- The structure is: C(CH3)4.
- All four hydrogen atoms are equivalent (type A).
- Therefore, methylene insertion will yield only one product:
- Product: CH3-C(CH3)3-CH2-H-H.
- Conclusion: This option will give a single product.

3. **Analyze Option B (CH3-CH2-CH3)**:
- The structure is: CH3-CH2-CH3 (Propane).
- There are two types of hydrogen atoms (type A from CH3 and type B from CH2).
- Therefore, methylene insertion will yield two products.
- Conclusion: This option will not give a single product.

4. **Analyze Option C (CH3-C(CH3)2-CH2-CH3)**:
- The structure is: CH3-C(CH3)2-CH2-CH3.
- There are two types of hydrogen atoms (type A from CH3 and type B from CH2).
- Therefore, methylene insertion will yield two products.
- Conclusion: This option will not give a single product.

5. **Analyze Option D (CH3-CH2-C(CH3)2-CH2-CH3)**:
- The structure is: CH3-CH2-C(CH3)2-CH2-CH3.
- There are three types of hydrogen atoms (type A from CH3, type B from CH2, and type C from the central carbon).
- Therefore, methylene insertion will yield three products.
- Conclusion: This option will not give a single product.

6. **Final Conclusion**:
- Only Option A (Me4C) has a single type of hydrogen, which means it will yield only one product upon methylene insertion. Therefore, the correct answer is **Option A**.