Question

Which of the following acids does not exhibit optical isomerism ?

• A. Maleic acid
• B. Tartaric acid
• C. Lactic acid
• D. $\alpha$ - Amino acids

Answer 1

The correct option is A Maleic acid

Maleic acid does not exhibit optical isomerism as it lacks chiral Carbon. The chiral carbon is a carbon atom in which all the valencies of the carbon atom is satisfied by the four different species.
Tartaric acid , lactic acid and $\alpha$ - amino acids exhibit optical isomerism as they contain chiral carbon.