Question

Which acid does not show optical isomerism?

Answer 1

• Optical isomerism- Those isomers which are optically active and can rotate the plane of polarized light in different directions are called optical isomers and this phenomenon is known as optical isomerism.
• The molecule must have a chiral center to rotate the plane of polarised light.
• The chiral center is the carbon atom which is attached to four different groups.
• Maleic acid does not rotate the plane of polarised light as it does not have any chiral center

Hence, Maleic acid does not show optical isomerism.