Question

What is meant by optically active acids??

Answer 1

Dear Student,

Optically active acids ae the acids which have an asymmetric centre and donot possess plane of symmetry or centre of symmetry.
For eg. lactic acid i.e. CH₃CH(OH)COOH has one asymmetric carbon and donot possess plane of symmetry or centre of symmetry and therefore it is optically active. Also, amino acids have an asymmetric carbon and so are optically active.
Tartaric acid contains COOHCH(OH)CH(OH)COOH has two asymmetric carbon but has plane of symmetry, therefore, it is optically inactive.