Is 2-methyl pentane optically active?
Answer
578.4k+ views
Hint: We need to know that the compound that is capable of rotating the plane of polarized light i.e. it is capable of rotation is known as an optically active compound. All chiral molecules are optically active. Example: R-Lactic Acid is chiral and thus is optically active i.e., can rotate the plane of polarized light.
Complete answer:
We have to know that the compounds which are capable of rotating the polarized light are said to be optically active molecules. It should have a chiral center. A chiral Carbon is an asymmetric carbon with four different groups, and also forms non superimposable mirror images.
The structure of 2-methyl pentane can be given as:
Here as we can see C2 carbon has one H two methyl groups and one $C{H_2} - C{H_2} - C{H_3}$ group. Hence carbon C2 is not chiral as the four groups attached are not different.
C1 has 3 hydrogen and one $ - CH(C{H_3}) - C{H_2} - C{H_2} - C{H_3}$ groups attached. It's also optically inactive
C3 has two hydrogens attached and one $C{H_3} - CH(C{H_3})$ and $ - C{H_2} - C{H_3}$ group . Hence, it’ll be optically inactive.
C4 has two hydrogens attached and one $ - C{H_3}$ and $ - C{H_2} - CH(C{H_3}) - C{H_3}$ . Hence it would also be optically inactive.
C5 has three hydrogens and 1 $C{H_3} - CH(C{H_3}) - C{H_2} - C{H_2}$ attached hence it’ll be also optically inactive
Since there are no asymmetrical carbons present, the molecule is achiral and hence will not exhibit optical activity.
Hence 2-methyl pentane is Optically Inactive.
Note:
We need to remember that if a molecule has non-super imposable mirror images, then they are said to be enantiomers. Enantiomers are basically the mirror images of a compound. Enantiomers are always chiral and optically active. Example: D-Glucose and L-Glucose are enantiomers of each other.
Complete answer:
We have to know that the compounds which are capable of rotating the polarized light are said to be optically active molecules. It should have a chiral center. A chiral Carbon is an asymmetric carbon with four different groups, and also forms non superimposable mirror images.
The structure of 2-methyl pentane can be given as:
Here as we can see C2 carbon has one H two methyl groups and one $C{H_2} - C{H_2} - C{H_3}$ group. Hence carbon C2 is not chiral as the four groups attached are not different.
C1 has 3 hydrogen and one $ - CH(C{H_3}) - C{H_2} - C{H_2} - C{H_3}$ groups attached. It's also optically inactive
C3 has two hydrogens attached and one $C{H_3} - CH(C{H_3})$ and $ - C{H_2} - C{H_3}$ group . Hence, it’ll be optically inactive.
C4 has two hydrogens attached and one $ - C{H_3}$ and $ - C{H_2} - CH(C{H_3}) - C{H_3}$ . Hence it would also be optically inactive.
C5 has three hydrogens and 1 $C{H_3} - CH(C{H_3}) - C{H_2} - C{H_2}$ attached hence it’ll be also optically inactive
Since there are no asymmetrical carbons present, the molecule is achiral and hence will not exhibit optical activity.
Hence 2-methyl pentane is Optically Inactive.
Note:
We need to remember that if a molecule has non-super imposable mirror images, then they are said to be enantiomers. Enantiomers are basically the mirror images of a compound. Enantiomers are always chiral and optically active. Example: D-Glucose and L-Glucose are enantiomers of each other.
Recently Updated Pages
Write structures of the following compounds i 2 Chloro3methylpentane class 11 chemistry CBSE

What is BLO What is the full form of BLO class 8 social science CBSE

Explain the Treaty of Vienna of 1815 class 10 social science CBSE

A Paragraph on Pollution in about 100-150 Words

XIX+XXX A 49 B 51 C 55 D 44 class 5 maths CBSE

If x a + bt + ct2 where x is in meters and t is in class 11 physics CBSE

Trending doubts
One Metric ton is equal to kg A 10000 B 1000 C 100 class 11 physics CBSE

Draw a diagram of nephron and explain its structur class 11 biology CBSE

10 examples of friction in our daily life

Proton was discovered by A Thomson B Rutherford C Chadwick class 11 chemistry CBSE

Bond order ofO2 O2+ O2 and O22 is in order A O2 langle class 11 chemistry CBSE

Draw a labelled diagram of the neuron and describe class 11 biology CBSE

