Which of the following compounds can exhibit optical isomerism?

₹0.0

Question: Which of the following compounds can exhibit optical isomerism?

Options:

Correct Answer: 2-butanol

Solution:

2-butanol has a chiral center and can exist as two enantiomers, thus exhibiting optical isomerism.

Which of the following compounds can exhibit optical isomerism?

Which of the following compounds can exhibit optical isomerism?

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 2-butanol has a chiral center, it can exist in two different forms (enantiomers).
Step 6: Conclude that because 2-butanol has a chiral center, it can exhibit optical isomerism.

No concepts available.