Question

Write the structures of the isomers of alcohols with molecular formula $C_4{H}_{10}O.$ Which of these exhibits optical activity?

Answer 1

Analysing the type of compounds which can exhibit optical activity

A $s{p}^3$ hybridised carbon having four different groups is called a chiral carbon or asymmetric carbon or chiral centre. An organic molecule having a chiral centre and lacking elements of symmetry can exhibit optical activity by rotating the plane of polarised light.

Analysing the optical activity in isomers of alcohols with the molecular formula $C_4{H}_{10}O$

The structures of isomers of alcohols with the molecular formula $C_4{H}_{10}O$ are:





Among these isomers, $\text{butan-2-ol}$ exhibits optical activity due to the presence of chiral centre marked $a{s}^{\ast }$.