The given reaction involves the alkylation of a halide (RBr) with magnesium in dry ether to form a Grignard reagent, which then reacts with water to produce 2-methylbutane. Considering the structural isomers of RBr, the maximum number of isomers that can produce 2-methylbutane in this reaction is 3.
The possible isomers of RBr that would produce 2-methylbutane are:
- 1-Bromo-3-methylbutane
- 2-Bromo-2-methylbutane
- 3-Bromo-2-methylbutane
Hence, the maximum number of RBr producing 2-methylbutane is 3.