JEE Advanced levelSingle correct optionDifficulty 3 of 3o3038
3-Chlorobut-1-ene is solvolysed in water through a free allylic cation. Counting every stereoisomer that can in principle form (E/Z isomers and enantiomers counted separately), the number of different alcohols produced is
A2
B3
C4
D6
Answer: C
The cation CHX3−CHX+−CH=CHX2CHX3−CH=CH−CHX2X+ is attacked at either terminus. Attack at C-2 gives but-3-en-2-ol, which has one stereocentre: (R) and (S), 2 isomers. Attack at C-4 gives but-2-en-1-ol, with a C=C that can be E or Z: 2 isomers. Total 2+2=4 stereoisomeric alcohols.