How many straight-chain dichloroalkanes correspond to the formula \(C_4H_8Cl_2\)?

Explanation

In order to understand the question, you need to know what a straight-chain dichloroalkane is. A straight-chain dichloroalkane is an alkane with two chlorine atoms replacing two hydrogen atoms on a linear carbon chain. The formula given is \(C_4H_8Cl_2\), which means the compound has 4 carbon atoms, 8 hydrogen atoms, and 2 chlorine atoms.

To find the number of different straight-chain dichloroalkanes, we need to identify the different positions the two chlorine atoms can be placed on the 4-carbon chain without repeating any arrangement.

Let's use numbers to represent the carbon atoms in the chain (1, 2, 3, and 4) and X to represent the positions of the chlorine atoms. We can have the following combinations:

1. 1,2 (XX00)
2. 1,3 (X0X0)
3. 1,4 (X00X)
4. 2,3 (0XX0)
5. 2,4 (0X0X)
6. 3,4 (00XX)

However, we need to consider that the chain can be flipped, and some of these combinations are identical when the chain is reversed. For example, combination 1 (XX00) is the same as combination 6 (00XX) when flipped. Similarly, combination 3 (X00X) is the same as itself when flipped. So, we only have 4 unique straight-chain dichloroalkanes:

1. 1,2 (XX00)
2. 1,3 (X0X0)
3. 1,4 (X00X)
4. 2,3 (0XX0)

Thus, the correct answer isOption A: 4.