A hydrocarbon with the molecular formula, C5H10 belongs to the group with a general molecular formula CnH2n. Therefore, it may either be an alkene or a cycloalkane. Since hydrocarbon does not react with chlorine in the dark, it cannot be an alkene. Thus, it should be a cycloalkane. Further, the hydrocarbon gives a single monochloro compound, C5H9Cl by reacting with chlorine in bright sunlight. Since a single monochloro compound is formed, the hydrocarbon must contain H−atoms that are all equivalent. Also, as all H−atoms of a cycloalkane are equivalent, the hydrocarbon must be a cycloalkane. Hence, the said compound is cyclopentane.
