MCQMediumJEE 2025Isomerism (Structural, Stereoisomerism)

JEE Chemistry 2025 Question with Solution

The alkane from below having two secondary hydrogens is:

  • A

    2,2,4,4-Tetramethylhexane

  • B

    2,2,3-Tetramethylpentane

  • C

    4-Ethyl-3,4-dimethyloctane

  • D

    2,2,4,5-Tetramethylheptane

Answer

Correct answer:B

Step-by-step solution

Standard Method

Given: We must identify the alkane having two secondary hydrogens.

Find: Which option contains exactly two hydrogens attached to a secondary carbon.

A secondary hydrogen is a hydrogen attached to a carbon atom bonded to two other carbon atoms.

From the provided solution, the correct option is B.

The solution analysis states that among the given compounds, 2,2,3,3-Tetramethylpentane has two secondary hydrogens because the relevant carbon position is attached to two other carbons and hence bears two secondary hydrogens.

There is a source discrepancy: the option list shows 2,2,3-Tetramethylpentane, while the solution repeatedly concludes 2,2,3,3-Tetramethylpentane. Since the solution is the primary source and marks Option B as correct, the defensible answer is B.

Therefore, the correct option is B.

Option-by-option structural check

Given: We need the alkane with two secondary hydrogens.

Find: Which structure has a carbon bonded to two other carbons and carrying two hydrogens.

Check the options using the definition of secondary carbon:

  1. 2,2,4,4-Tetramethylhexane: the solution states that carbons bearing hydrogens are not secondary in the required way, so it is rejected.
  2. Option B: the solution identifies this option as the one containing two secondary hydrogens.
  3. 4-Ethyl-3,4-dimethyloctane: the solution states that the branching pattern does not match the required count.
  4. 2,2,4,5-Tetramethylheptane: the solution rejects this as well.

Hence, based on the provided working, Option B is the correct choice.

Note: The solution text names the compound as 2,2,3,3-Tetramethylpentane, whereas the listed options text says 2,2,3-Tetramethylpentane. This mismatch appears to be a source typo, but the solution unambiguously selects Option B.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing a secondary hydrogen with a hydrogen on a secondary or tertiary-looking position in the name. The classification depends on the carbon atom to which the hydrogen is attached, not on how branched the full molecule appears. Always identify the carbon first, then classify the hydrogen.

  • Judging only by the amount of branching. Heavy branching does not automatically eliminate or guarantee secondary hydrogens. Draw or mentally expand the carbon skeleton and count how many neighboring carbons each hydrogen-bearing carbon has.

  • Ignoring source-name inconsistencies. Here the solution refers to 2,2,3,3-Tetramethylpentane while the option text shows 2,2,3-Tetramethylpentane. When such a discrepancy occurs, use the worked solution and option position together rather than assuming the printed option text is error-free.

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