Question

If 'n' represents total number of asymmetric carbon atoms in a compound, the possible number of optical isomers of the compound is

Answer 1

Optical isomers:-

• Compounds that have similar numbers and kinds of atoms but differ in the arrangements of the atoms are called optical isomers.
• This particular mechanism is called optical isomerism.
• They also have non-superimposable mirror images.
• An example is Butan-2-ol.

Chiral carbon:-

• Chiral carbon also known as asymmetric carbon is a compound where the carbon atom has 4 different atoms or groups of atoms attached to it.
• For every chiral carbon present in the compound, there will be 2 optical isomers.
• This is calculated by using the formula $2^{\mathrm{n}}$, where n= total number of chiral or asymmetric carbon atoms.
• Thus if a compound has 3 chiral carbon atoms, then the total number of optical isomers produced will be $2^{\mathrm{n}}=2^3=8$
• For example Tetrose has 2 asymmetric carbon atoms.
• Thus it will show $2^{\mathrm{n}}=2^2=4$optical isomers., they are:

• The red highlighted carbon atoms are the asymmetric carbon atoms.

Therefore, If 'n' represents total number of asymmetric carbon atoms in a compound, the possible number of optical isomers of the compound is $2^{\mathrm{n}}$.