Identify the correct statements for Ethylene dichloride and Ethylidene chloride

(A) They represent structural isomers.
(B) Both are formed by reaction of ethene with chlorine in presence of $CCl_4$
(C) Both the compounds belong to a class of dihalocompounds
(D) Both the compounds are optically inactive.

Choose the correct answer from the options given below.

(A), (C) and (D) only

The correct answer is Option (1) → (A), (C) and (D) only

Detailed Explanation

First understand the two compounds:

Ethylene dichloride = 1,2–dichloroethane

Structure: Cl–CHâ‚‚–CHâ‚‚–Cl

Ethylidene chloride = 1,1–dichloroethane

Structure: CH₃–CHClâ‚‚

Both have the same molecular formula:

Câ‚‚Hâ‚„Clâ‚‚

But the position of chlorine atoms is different.

Statement (A): They represent structural isomers

Structural isomers have:

Same molecular formula

Different connectivity of atoms

In ethylene dichloride → Chlorine atoms are on two different carbon atoms

In ethylidene chloride → Both chlorine atoms are on the same carbon atom

Since their structures are different but formula is same, they are positional (structural) isomers.

Therefore Statement (A) is correct.

Statement (B): Both are formed by reaction of ethene with chlorine in presence of CClâ‚„

Ethene + Clâ‚‚ in inert solvent (like CClâ‚„) undergoes addition reaction:

CHâ‚‚=CHâ‚‚ + Clâ‚‚ → Cl–CHâ‚‚–CHâ‚‚–Cl

This forms only 1,2–dichloroethane (ethylene dichloride)

Ethylidene chloride (1,1–dichloroethane) is NOT formed by this reaction.

It is prepared by chlorination of ethane or via other substitution pathways.

Therefore Statement (B) is incorrect.

Statement (C): Both the compounds belong to a class of dihalocompounds

Dihalo compounds contain two halogen atoms.

Both contain two chlorine atoms.

Ethylene dichloride → vicinal dihalide (on adjacent carbons)

Ethylidene chloride → geminal dihalide (on same carbon)

Hence both belong to dihalocompounds.

Therefore Statement (C) is correct.

Statement (D): Both the compounds are optically inactive

Optical activity requires a chiral carbon (carbon with four different groups).

Ethylene dichloride:

Cl–CHâ‚‚–CHâ‚‚–Cl

No carbon has four different substituents

Symmetrical molecule

Optically inactive

Ethylidene chloride:

CH₃–CHClâ‚‚

The second carbon has:

Cl

Cl

H

CH₃

Two identical groups (Cl, Cl) are present

Hence not chiral

Therefore optically inactive.

Statement (D) is correct.