How many primary, secondary and tertiary carbon atoms, respectively, are present in $CH X_{3} - CH (CH X_{3}) - CH (CH X_{2} - CH X_{3}) - CH X_{2} - CH X_{2} - CH X_{3}$ ?

A4, 3, 1
B3, 4, 2
C4, 3, 2
D4, 2, 3

Answer: C

Classify each carbon by the number of carbons attached to it. The four CH3 groups are primary. The three CH2 carbons (one in the ethyl group and two in the propyl chain) are secondary. The two CH carbons are tertiary. The counts are 4, 3, 2, which add up to 9 carbons (C9H20).

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How many primary, secondary and tertiary carbon atoms, respectively, are present in CHX3​−CH(CHX3​)−CH(CHX2​−CHX3​)−CHX2​−CHX2​−CHX3​?

Answer: C

More questions on Classification and degree of unsaturation

How many primary, secondary and tertiary carbon atoms, respectively, are present in $CH X_{3} - CH (CH X_{3}) - CH (CH X_{2} - CH X_{3}) - CH X_{2} - CH X_{2} - CH X_{3}$ ?