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Question

Chemistry Question on Aldehydes, Ketones and Carboxylic Acids

Which of the following compound is optically active?

A

(A) CH3CH2COOH

B

(B) CH3CHOHCOOH

C

(C) HOOC⋅CH2⋅COOH

D

(D) CH3CO.COOH

Answer

(B) CH3CHOHCOOH

Explanation

Solution

Explanation:
CH3CHOHCOOH compound is optically active.Propanoic acid has the following structure:On evaluating the structure, we see that there is no chiral carbon atom present. Therefore, propanoic acid is not optically active.When we observe the structure of lactic acid, we see that it is attached to four different functional groups and has a chiral carbon.Also, there are no elements of symmetry, so Lactic acid shows optical activity. It is present as D and L isomers.Malonic acid is symmetrical and thus not chiral.CH3CO.COOH also does not have any chiral carbon atom, so it is not chiral.Hence, the correct option is (B).