Question

`A`, whose formula is `C_6H_12`, and which contains a chiral centre, is oxidized by permanganate ion to give methane gas, and `"2-methylbutanoic acid"`. What is `A`?

Answer 1

I think you gots `"3-methylpentene"`.......

Explanation:

`"3-methylpentene"`.......fits the description for `A`.

`H_3stackrel5C-CH_2-stackrel3CH(CH_3)stackrel2C=stackrel1CH_2`

We start with an olefin.......`H_2C=CHCH(CH_3)CH_2CH_3`, with a chiral centre at `C3`.

And hot permanganate will oxidize off the methylene group as carbon dioxide to give......

`H_3stackrel4C-CH_2-stackrel2CH(CH_3)CO_2H`

We have a carboxyl group at the position of the former `C_2`.

The chiral centre is the prior `C3`.