Question

Most of the organic compounds exhibit optical isomerism when

• A. Four groups linked to carbon atom are different
• B. Three groups linked to carbon atom are different
• C. Two groups linked to carbon atom are different
• D. All the groups linked to carbon atom are same

Answer 1

The correct option is A Four groups linked to carbon atom are different

A chiral centre in an organic compound is a carbon atom directly connected to four different groups. A molecule with a chiral centre which cannot be superimposed to its mirror image, hence optically active.

Hence the correct answer is four groups linked to carbon atom are different. But, this is not always true.