Question

. Number of secondary carbon atoms in the following compound
(CH3)2CHCH2CH(CH3)2

Answer 1

${\large{\sf{Secondary\: carbons\:→\:2° \:carbons}}}$

${\large{\red{\sf{No.of\:2° \:carbons=1}}}}$

Answer 2

• A primary carbon atom is one which is bonded to only one other carbon atom through a single or multiple bonds. Usually, the terminal carbons of a chain are primary.
• A secondary carbon is bonded to two other carbon atoms, while a tertiary carbon is bonded to three carbons.
• In the given organic compound, the carbon atoms 1, 5, 6 and 7 are primary carbons (1⁰) as they are bonded to only one other carbon.
• The carbon atoms 2 and 4 are tertiary carbons (3⁰) as they are bonded to three carbon atoms simultaneously.
• Only carbon 3 is bonded to two carbon atoms and hence is a secondary carbon (2⁰).

The given organic compound therefore contains only one secondary carbon atom.