Question

Can alkenes show optical isomerism?

Answer 1

Whether alkenes show optical isomerism or not is explained below:

1. Optical isomerism is shown by those compounds which have similar structure, same physical and chemical properties in non-chiral environment but they differ in the arrangement of atoms ins $3$ dimensional space.
2. Alkenes have ${\mathrm{sp}}^2$ hybridization so they are planar in nature,
3. Due to planarity alkenes possess plane of symmetry, so this is the reason for absence of any optical activity in alkenes.
4. Alkenes only shows structural isomerism.

Therefore, the above points clearly explains the absences of Optical isomerism in alkenes.