Are these halides primary, secondary or tertiary? How is this determined?

Question

1.) 2-chlorobutane
2.) 2-chloro-2-methylpropane
3.) 1-chloro-2-butene
4.) 1-chloro-2-methylpropane
5.) 1-chloroadamantane

Isaac Aronson · Accepted Answer

To how many carbons is the ipso-carbon (the one bearing the #C-X# bond) attached?

#H_3C-stackrel("*")CHClCH_2CH_3#...the starred ipso carbon is bound to TWO other carbons...this is a #"secondary"#, #2^@# alkyl halide... it is also potentially chiral...why? #"2-chloro-2-methylpropane"#, we got #H_3C-stackrel("*")C(CH_3)(Cl)CH_3#...the ipso carbon is attached to THREE other carbons..this is a #"tertiary"#, #3^@# alkyl halide... #"1-chloro-2-butene"#..we gots #ClH_2stackrel"*"C-CH=CHCH_3#...the ipso carbon is PRIMARY... it is also allylic... #"1-chloro-2-methylpropane"#, we got #ClH_2stackrel("*")C-C(CH_3)(H)CH_3#...the ipso carbon is attached to ONE other carbons..this is a #"primary"#, #1^@# alkyl halide...

Isabella Acosta · Answer

undefined The determination of whether a halide is primary, secondary, or tertiary depends on the carbon atom to which the halogen is attached.

- Primary halide: Halogen is attached to a carbon that is directly bonded to only one other carbon.
- Secondary halide: Halogen is attached to a carbon that is directly bonded to two other carbons.
- Tertiary halide: Halogen is attached to a carbon that is directly bonded to three other carbons.

Are these halides primary, secondary or tertiary? How is this determined?

1.) 2-chlorobutane 2.) 2-chloro-2-methylpropane 3.) 1-chloro-2-butene 4.) 1-chloro-2-methylpropane 5.) 1-chloroadamantane

1.) 2-chlorobutane
2.) 2-chloro-2-methylpropane
3.) 1-chloro-2-butene
4.) 1-chloro-2-methylpropane
5.) 1-chloroadamantane