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Hydrocarbons appeared 35 times across 3 years — 4% of Chemistry. This question is from Addition Reactions of Alkenes.

Year 2026 2025 2024 Total
Questions 14 12 9 35

Identify product A and product B :
Addition Reactions of Alkenes diagram for Q71 - JEE Main 2024 Morning
Cyclohexene undergoing chlorination under two different conditions: light (hv) and dark with CCl4 solvent.

Solution & Explanation

Core Logic

The substrate is cyclohexene, which can undergo two distinct types of reactions with chlorine (Cl₂) depending on the reaction conditions.

Reaction 1: Condition hv (Product A) In the presence of light (hν) or high temperature, halogens undergo homolytic cleavage to generate free radicals. This triggers allylic substitution (a free radical substitution mechanism). The allylic position is targeted because the resulting allylic free radical is resonance stabilized. Thus, substitution occurs at the carbon adjacent to the double bond, yielding 3-chlorocyclohexene as Product A.

Reaction 2: Condition CCl₄ (Product B) In the presence of a non-polar solvent like CCl₄ and without light/heat, Cl₂ undergoes an electrophilic addition reaction across the carbon-carbon double bond. A cyclic chloronium ion intermediate is formed, leading to anti-addition of two chlorine atoms. This yields 1,2-dichlorocyclohexane as Product B.

Step 1: Structures of A and B

Addition Reactions of Alkenes diagram for Q71 - JEE Main 2024 Morning
Cyclohexene undergoing chlorination under two different conditions: light (hv) and dark with CCl4 solvent.

Product A preserves the double bond and substitutes a Cl at the allylic position. Product B loses the double bond and adds two Cl atoms adjacently.

Pattern Recognition

X₂ + light (hν) = Free radical Allylic Substitution. X₂ + dark/solvent (CCl₄) = Electrophilic Addition across double bond.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Chemistry: Hydrocarbons Class 12 Chemistry: Haloalkanes and Haloarenes

More Hydrocarbons Previous-Year Questions — Page 7

Q jee_main_2024_31_jan_evening Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution
Identify major product 'P' formed in the following reaction.
Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution diagram for Q65 - JEE Main 2024 Evening
The image shows an aromatic ring undergoing a reaction with an alkyl halide in the presence of anhydrous AlCl3.
  • A. (1) Product A
  • B. (2) Product B
  • C. (3) Product C
  • D. (4) Product D

Solution

Core Logic

The given reaction is an intramolecular Friedel-Crafts alkylation.

  • The alkyl chloride reacts with anhydrous AlCl₃ to form a carbocation intermediate.
  • The carbocation generated will act as an electrophile and attack the adjacent phenyl ring.
  • The intermediate carbocation will undergo electrophilic aromatic substitution to form a new six-membered ring, as a 6-membered ring is highly stable and preferred over other ring sizes.
  • Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution diagram for Q65 - JEE Main 2024 Evening
    The image shows an aromatic ring undergoing a reaction with an alkyl halide in the presence of anhydrous AlCl3.

Pattern Recognition

Intramolecular Friedel-Crafts usually prefers forming 5 or 6 membered rings due to lesser angle strain. Here, the tether length is perfect for closing into a 6-membered tetralin-like system.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Chemistry: Hydrocarbons

Q jee_main_2024_31_jan_evening Electrophilic Addition to Alkenes
Major product of the following reaction is -
Electrophilic Addition to Alkenes diagram for Q66 - JEE Main 2024 Evening
The image shows a methylcyclopentene derivative reacting with D-Cl.
  • A.
  • B.
  • C.
  • D.

Solution

Core Logic

Addition of D-Cl across the double bond takes place via an electrophilic addition mechanism following Markovnikov's rule.

  • The electrophile D^+ attacks the double bond to generate the most stable carbocation. The tertiary carbocation formed at the methyl-substituted carbon is more stable than the secondary carbocation.
  • The nucleophile Cl^- then attacks the planar tertiary carbocation from either face (top or bottom), resulting in a racemic mixture if a new chiral center is fully free, but here the stereochemistry depends on the relative anti/syn addition logic or thermodynamic stability. A mixture of diastereomers can be formed, but standard electrophilic additions often yield predominantly the trans-product due to steric reasons or via a bridged intermediate depending on conditions, though pure HCl/DCl addition is non-stereospecific.
  • However, based on the official answer key (Option 3), we identify the correct stereochemical representation provided by the examining body.

    Electrophilic Addition to Alkenes diagram for Q66 - JEE Main 2024 Evening
    The image shows a methylcyclopentene derivative reacting with D-Cl.

Note on Discrepancy

According to the official NTA key, Option 3 is correct. According to our experts, both options 3 and 4 can be formed as a mixture since the carbocation is planar and Cl^- can attack from both sides. We proceed with the officially accepted answer (3).

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Chemistry: Hydrocarbons

Q jee_main_2024_31_jan_evening Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution Reactivity
The correct order of reactivity in electrophilic substitution reaction of the following compounds is:
Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution Reactivity diagram for Q79 - JEE Main 2024 Evening
The image displays four aromatic compounds: Benzene (A), Toluene (B), Chlorobenzene (C), and Nitrobenzene (D).
  • A. B > C > A > D
  • B. D > C > B > A
  • C. A > B > C > D
  • D. B > A > C > D

Solution

Core Logic

Electrophilic substitution reactivity depends on the electron density of the aromatic ring, which is influenced by the inductive (I) and mesomeric (M) effects of the substituents.

  • Compound A (Benzene): Standard reference.
  • Compound B (Toluene): The -CH₃ group shows +I and hyperconjugation effects, activating the ring. Most reactive.
  • Compound C (Chlorobenzene): The -Cl group shows +M and -I effects, but the -I effect dominates, mildly deactivating the ring.
  • Compound D (Nitrobenzene): The -NO₂ group shows strong -M and -I effects, heavily deactivating the ring. Least reactive.
  • Order of reactivity: Toluene (B) > Benzene (A) > Chlorobenzene (C) > Nitrobenzene (D).

Step 1: Final Order

Reactivity: B > A > C > D. This matches option (4).

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Chemistry: Hydrocarbons Class 12 Chemistry: Haloalkanes and Haloarenes

Q84 jee_main_2024_31_jan_evening Halogenation of Alkanes (Isomers)
Number of isomeric products formed by mono-chlorination of 2-methylbutane in presence of sunlight is ________
Numerical Answer. Answer: 6 to 6

Solution

Core Logic

The structure of 2-methylbutane is CH₃-CH(CH₃)-CH₂-CH₃. It has four different types of hydrogen atoms, which can be substituted to form structural isomers:

  • 1-chloro-2-methylbutane: Chlorination at terminal CH₃ near branch. Yields a chiral center at C2 (2 enantiomers).
  • 2-chloro-2-methylbutane: Chlorination at the tertiary carbon (1 achiral product).
  • 2-chloro-3-methylbutane: Chlorination at the CH₂ group. Yields a chiral center at C2 (2 enantiomers).
  • 1-chloro-3-methylbutane: Chlorination at the far terminal CH₃. No chiral center (1 achiral product).
  • Halogenation of Alkanes (Isomers) diagram for Q84 - JEE Main 2024 Evening
    Halogenation of Alkanes (Isomers) diagram for Q84 - JEE Main 2024 Evening

Step 1: Counting Stereoisomers

Total isomeric products = 2 (from 1st) + 1 (from 2nd) + 2 (from 3rd) + 1 (from 4th) = 6.

Pattern Recognition

When asked for "isomeric products" in halogenation without specifying "structural isomers", you must count stereoisomers (enantiomers) as well.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Chemistry: Hydrocarbons Class 12 Chemistry: Haloalkanes and Haloarenes

Q87 jee_main_2024_31_jan_morning Kolbe's Electrolysis
Number of alkanes obtained on electrolysis of a mixture of CH₃COONa and C₂H₅COONa is
Numerical Answer. Answer: 3 to 3

Solution

Core Logic

Kolbe's electrolytic method generates free radicals at the anode, which then combine to form alkanes.

The given mixture yields two types of carboxylate radicals which decarboxylate to form alkyl radicals: CH₃COONa arrow CH₃ C₂H₅COONa arrow C₂H₅

These radicals can couple in three different ways:

  • Cross coupling: CH₃ + C₂H₅ arrow CH₃-CH₂-CH₃ (Propane)
  • Self-coupling 1: CH₃ + CH₃ arrow CH₃-CH₃ (Ethane)
  • Self-coupling 2: C₂H₅ + C₂H₅ arrow CH₃-CH₂-CH₂-CH₃ (Butane)
  • Thus, a total of 3 different alkanes are formed.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Chemistry: Hydrocarbons

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