Chapter 21.4, Problem 30SSC

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

Two different optical isomers needs to be drawn by attaching the following atoms or groups to the carbon atom:

${\text{-H, -CH}}_3,{\text{ -CH}}_2{\text{CH}}_3,{\text{ -CH}}_2{\text{CH}}_2{\text{CH}}_3$

Concept introduction:

Two mirror image representations are possible for a molecule having chiral center in its structure. If the mirror images are non-superimposable to each other then, they are said to be optical isomers.

Explanation of Solution

A molecule is said to be chiral molecule when all the attached groups to central carbon atom are different and lacks in plane of symmetry in the molecule. The molecules having chiral centres show optical isomerism as there are two mirror image representations possible for a molecule having chiral center in its structure and if the mirror images are non-superimposable to each other then, they are said to be optical isomers.

Now, starting from a single carbon atom, two different optical isomers can be drawn by attaching ${\text{-H, -CH}}_3,{\text{ -CH}}_2{\text{CH}}_3,{\text{ -CH}}_2{\text{CH}}_2{\text{CH}}_3$ to the carbon atom as:

The single compound formed will be:

Since the central carbon atom is attached to four different atoms and groups so, it is chiral in nature shown by * as:

Now, drawing the optical isomers using mirror as:

Since, the mirror image is not superimposable to each other so, they are optical isomers of each other.