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Solved: A compound having the molecular formula C4H10O
Chapter 24, Problem 40P(choose chapter or problem)
A compound having the molecular formula \(\mathrm{C}_{4} \mathrm{H}_{10} \mathrm{O}\) does not react with sodium metal. In the presence of light, the compound reacts with \(\mathrm{Cl}_{2}\) to form three compounds having the formula \(\mathrm{C}_{4} \mathrm{H}_{9} \mathrm{OCl}\). Draw a structure for the original compound that is consistent with this information.
Questions & Answers
QUESTION:
A compound having the molecular formula \(\mathrm{C}_{4} \mathrm{H}_{10} \mathrm{O}\) does not react with sodium metal. In the presence of light, the compound reacts with \(\mathrm{Cl}_{2}\) to form three compounds having the formula \(\mathrm{C}_{4} \mathrm{H}_{9} \mathrm{OCl}\). Draw a structure for the original compound that is consistent with this information.
ANSWER:Step 1 of 2
Given an empirical molecular formula 
Applying this formula to general formulas for hydrocarbons tells us that it belongs to alkanes
Thus, the given compound can be an alcohol or an ether. But since the question mentions that the compound does not react with Na metal (and alcohols react with Na metal readily), the compound must be an ether.
This guess is further enforced by the fact that this compound reacts with 
