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Multiple Choice
Which of the following molecules is chiral?
A
acetone
B
ethanol
C
2-butanol
D
2-propanol
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 acetone: The structure of acetone is \( \text{CH}_3\text{COCH}_3 \). The central carbon is bonded to two identical \( \text{CH}_3 \) groups, making it achiral.
Examine ethanol: The structure of ethanol is \( \text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2\text{OH} \). The carbon atoms are bonded to hydrogen and other carbon atoms, but no carbon is bonded to four different groups, making it achiral.
Examine 2-butanol: The structure of 2-butanol is \( \text{CH}_3\text{CH}( ext{OH})\text{CH}_2\text{CH}_3 \). The second carbon is bonded to four different groups: \( \text{CH}_3 \), \( \text{OH} \), \( \text{CH}_2\text{CH}_3 \), and hydrogen, making it chiral.
Examine 2-propanol: The structure of 2-propanol is \( \text{CH}_3\text{CH}( ext{OH})\text{CH}_3 \). The central carbon is bonded to two identical \( \text{CH}_3 \) groups, making it achiral.