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Question: In the following monobromination reaction, the number of possible chiral products is: ![](https://...

In the following monobromination reaction, the number of possible chiral products is:

Explanation

Solution

A chiral molecule or ion exists in two stereoisomers that are mirror images of each other, called enantiomers. Any reaction or process in which bromine is introduced into a molecule is called bromination. Since an alkane group is present, alkane halogenation reaction will take place.

Complete answer:
A molecule or ion is called chiral if it cannot be superposed on its mirror image by any combination of rotations and translations. When the mirror image of the object is placed over the original object and they do not overlap, they are called non-superimposable. Chiral carbon centers are carbon atoms that are attached to four different substituents, that are placed at the corners of a tetrahedron.
These reactions include free radical halogenations of alkanes.
R3CH+X2R3CX+HX{R_3}C - H + {X_2} \to {R_3}C - X + H - X
Initiation and propagation takes place in a bromination reaction in which the different products HBrH - Br and CH3CH2BrC{H_3}C{H_2}Br are formed. Light energy breaks the Br-Br bond giving two separate bromine atoms (Br). Each Br formed has the ability to remove an H from ethane. When Br removes an H along with one of the electrons in the C-H bond. H-Br forms and leaves behind a reactive molecular fragment (CH3-CH2) called as an ethyl radical.
The different chiral products which can be formed from the reaction are :
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Thus there are five chiral products along with two achiral products.

**Hence the total no. of chiral products are 5.

Note:**
The carbon connected to the bromine turned into a chiral center during the reaction and it is the only chiral center of the molecule. the diastereomers in the halogenation of chiral substrates may not be formed in equal amounts.