Question

Which of the following compounds is/are optically inactive?

• A. $(C{H}_3{)}_{2}CHC{H}_{2}OH$
• B. $C{H}_{3}C{H}_{2}OH$
• C. $CC{l}_2{F}_2$
• D. $C{H}_{3}CH\left(OH\right)C_2{H}_5$

Answer 1

Answer: (A), (B), (C)

$(C{H}_3{)}_{2}CHC{H}_{2}OH$
$C{H}_{3}C{H}_{2}OH$
$CC{l}_2{F}_2$

The compounds $(C{H}_3{)}_{2}CHC{H}_{2}OH$, $C{H}_{3}C{H}_{2}OH$ and $CC{l}_2{F}_2$ do not have any chiral center. So, they are optically inactive in nature.
The compound $C{H}_3\stackrel{\ast }{C}H\left(OH\right)C_2{H}_5$ has a chiral center (starred carbon) and so is optically active.