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Multiple Choice
Which of the following molecules is chiral?
A
propane
B
2-butanol
C
acetone
D
ethanol
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the concept of chirality: A molecule is chiral if it has a non-superimposable mirror image, often due to the presence of a carbon atom bonded to four different groups.
Examine propane: Propane (C₃H₈) is a simple alkane with no carbon atom bonded to four different groups, hence it is achiral.
Examine acetone: Acetone (CH₃COCH₃) is a ketone with a central carbonyl group, but none of its carbon atoms are bonded to four different groups, making it achiral.
Examine ethanol: Ethanol (CH₃CH₂OH) has a hydroxyl group, but the carbon atoms are not bonded to four different groups, so it is achiral.
Examine 2-butanol: 2-butanol (CH₃CH(OH)CH₂CH₃) has a chiral center at the second carbon, which is bonded to four different groups (methyl, ethyl, hydroxyl, and hydrogen), making it chiral.