What is tert-butyl chloride primarily used for in organic synthesis?

Tert-butyl chloride is primarily used as a substrate in nucleophilic substitution reactions due to its structure and reactivity. It contains a tertiary carbon, which is highly reactive towards nucleophiles because the bulky tert-butyl group stabilizes the positive charge that develops during the transition state when the leaving chloride ion departs. This makes tert-butyl chloride a favorable choice for reactions where a nucleophile attaches to the carbon atom, facilitating the substitution process.

In synthetic organic chemistry, tert-butyl chloride is often employed to introduce molecular groups through nucleophilic attack, making it valuable in the synthesis of various compounds. The steric hindrance from the bulky tert-butyl group also influences reaction pathways, often leading to the formation of products with specific configurations or complexities that are useful in further synthesis.

The other options do not accurately represent the primary function of tert-butyl chloride in organic synthesis. For instance, while it could theoretically be involved in some extraction scenarios, it does not serve as a solvent in the conventional sense. It is not typically used as a catalyst in polymerization reactions, nor is it relevant in the preparation of pure water, which is outside the scope of organic synthesis.