I am really having a hard time with this question.
Which of these compounds will exhibit optical isomerism? Show why.
a) CH3CH2CONHC2H5
b) CH3-CH-NO2 CH2-COOH
i don't even know where to begin.
Look at carbon #2 from the left. Doesn't that carbon have four separate groups attached?
I didn't say which one did I? I meant #2 carbon of answer 2.
I can help you get started with this question. To determine if a compound exhibits optical isomerism, we need to look for the presence of asymmetric carbon atoms. Asymmetric carbon atoms, also known as chiral centers, are carbon atoms that are bonded to four different groups.
Let's analyze the compounds provided:
a) CH3CH2CONHC2H5
To determine if this compound exhibits optical isomerism, we need to find the chiral center(s). In this compound, the central carbon atom (C) is bonded to four different groups: H, CH3, CH2, and CONH. Since it meets the criterion of having an asymmetric carbon atom, this compound can exhibit optical isomerism.
b) CH3-CH-NO2 CH2-COOH
In this compound, we look for carbon atoms that are bonded to four different groups. However, both carbon atoms in this compound are bonded to the same groups (CH3, CH, NO2, and COOH). As a result, this compound does not have any asymmetric carbon atoms and cannot exhibit optical isomerism.
So, the compound that exhibits optical isomerism is (a) CH3CH2CONHC2H5.