Question detail
Explain why (R)-2-butanol and (S)-2-butanol are considered optical isomers.
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
Explain why (R)-2-butanol and (S)-2-butanol are considered optical isomers.
Answer
(R)-2-butanol and (S)-2-butanol are considered optical isomers because they are non-superimposable mirror images of each other due to the presence of a chiral carbon atom.
Explanation
This question assesses the understanding of the concept of optical isomerism, specifically the significance of chirality in organic molecules. It highlights the importance of molecular geometry in determining the properties of isomers.
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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