Classify the following compounds as primary, secondary and tertiary halides.
(i) 1-Bromobut-2-ene
(ii) 4-Bromopent-2-ene
(iii) 2-Bromo-2-methylpropane
The given compounds can be classified as primary, secondary and tertiary halides by knowing which carbon the halogen atom is attached to. In 1-Bromobut-2-ene, the –Br is attached to the first carbon in the chain, which is a primary carbon atom. The structure is H3C—HC=CH—H2C—Br and this is a primary halide
In 4-Bromopent-2-ene, the bromine is attached to the secondary carbon atom, hence this a secondary halide. The structure is CH3—CH(Br)CH=CH—CH3.
In 2-Bromo-2-methylpropane, the bromine is attached to the tertiary carbon atom, making it a tertiary halide. The structure is CH3—C(Br)(CH3)—CH3.