Question detail
Draw the structural formula for the pair of optical isomers of 2-butanol.
Try the question, check the answer, then read the explanation to understand the curriculum point.
At a glance
Question
Type
exam_style
Style
Topic
Optical isomerism (A-level only)
Question
Draw the structural formula for the pair of optical isomers of 2-butanol.
Answer
The structural formulas for the optical isomers of 2-butanol are: (R)-2-butanol and (S)-2-butanol, which differ in the arrangement around the chiral carbon atom.
Explanation
This question tests the ability to recognize and draw the structural formulas of optical isomers, focusing on the specific arrangement of atoms around the chiral carbon. Understanding optical isomerism is crucial in organic chemistry as it relates to the properties of molecules.
Common mistake
Identifying Optical Isomers
Students often fail to recognize that optical isomers must be non-superimposable mirror images of each other.
To fix this, remember that for two molecules to be optical isomers, they must have chiral centers and cannot be aligned perfectly when one is placed over the other.
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