Question

2-butanol is optically active because it contain

Answer 1

ANSWER : chiral carbon

explanation : butanol contains a carbon which is attached to four diferent atoms/groups i.e. a chiral carbon. Hence it is a chiral compound and can show optical activity

Answer 2

Answer:

2-butanol is optically active because it contains chiral carbon.

Explanation:

Chiral carbons mean asymmetric carbon which is attached to 4 different types of atoms or groups of atoms.

2-butanol consists of a carbon atom which is attached to H, OH, CH₃ and C₂H₅. As the carbon atom is attached to 4 different atoms or groups of atoms, the C in 2-butanol is considered chiral carbon.

Chiral carbon is optically active in nature as it rotates the plane of polarization when a beam of light is passed through it.