A Levels Chemistry (9701)•9701/11/O/N/21

Explanation
Chiral secondary chloride yielding two alkenes via E2
Steps:
- Identify structures with a chiral carbon (four different groups including Cl) for optical isomers.
- Eliminate A: Cl on primary carbon with two H atoms, achiral.
- Confirm B and C represent the same 2-chlorobutane structure, chiral at C2.
- Verify D's structure has a chiral secondary carbon with Cl, H, methyl, and isopropyl-like chain fitting C4H9Cl.
- Assess E2 elimination: beta carbons must allow exactly two distinct alkene products.
Why D is correct:
- D features a chiral carbon bonded to Cl, H, CH3, and CH2CH3, enabling two optical isomers; E2 removes beta-H from either adjacent methyl or methylene, forming only two alkenes (1-butene and 2-butene) per Zaitsev/Saytzeff rule.
Why the others are wrong:
- A: Achiral (no optical isomers); E2 yields one alkene, 2-methylpropene.
- B: Identical to C (2-chlorobutane); but question specifies unique fit for two alkenes considering stereoisomerism in products.
- C: Same as B, forms 1-butene and 2-butene (with cis/trans, but structural count exceeds if stereo separated).
Final answer: D
Topic: Halogen compounds
Practice more A Levels Chemistry (9701) questions on mMCQ.me