Question

Write the structures of the isomers of alcohols with molecular formula \[\ce{C4H10O}\]. Which of these exhibits optical activity?

Answer 1

The alcohol with molecular formula C₄H₁₀O is butanol and has 4 isomers, these are:

(a) 

\[\ce{\underset{Butan-1-ol}{CH3 - CH2 - CH2 - CH2 - OH}}\]

(b)

\[\begin{array}{cc}
\phantom{}\ce{CH3 - \overset{∗}{C}H - CH2 - CH3}\\
\phantom{}|\phantom{.........}\\
\phantom{}\ce{\underset{Butan-2-ol}{OH}}\phantom{.......}
\end{array}\]

(c)

\[\begin{array}{cc}
\phantom{}\ce{CH3 - CH - CH2 - OH}\phantom{.}\\
\phantom{}|\phantom{.........}\\
\phantom{}\ce{\underset{2-Methylpropan-1-ol}{CH3}}\phantom{......}
\end{array}\]

(d)

\[\begin{array}{cc}
\phantom{...}\ce{CH3}\phantom{}\\
\phantom{}|\phantom{}\\
\phantom{}\ce{CH3 - C - CH3}\phantom{}\\
\phantom{}|\phantom{}\\
\phantom{...}\ce{\underset{2-methylpropan-2-ol}{OH}}\phantom{.}
\end{array}\]

Only butane-2-ol has chiral carbon due to it being the alcohol with molecular formula C₄H₁₀O exhibits optical activity.