Which of the following compounds would show optical isomerism?
Practice Questions
Q1
Which of the following compounds would show optical isomerism?
2-butanol
Butane
Hexane
Cyclohexane
Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions
Which of the following compounds would show optical isomerism?
Correct Answer: 2-butanol
Step 1: Understand what optical isomerism is. It occurs when a compound can exist in two different forms that are mirror images of each other, called enantiomers.
Step 2: Identify what a chiral center is. A chiral center is a carbon atom that is attached to four different groups.
Step 3: Look at the compound 2-butanol. Check if it has a chiral center.
Step 4: In 2-butanol, the second carbon (C2) is attached to four different groups: a hydroxyl group (OH), a methyl group (CH3), an ethyl group (C2H5), and a hydrogen atom (H).
Step 5: Since C2 has four different groups, it is a chiral center.
Step 6: Because 2-butanol has a chiral center, it can exist in two different forms (enantiomers), which means it shows optical isomerism.
