Question

Explain the following: (±)–2–Butanol is optically inactive.

Answer 1

Answer: 2-Butanol is chiral and thus can be obtained as either of two stereoisomers designated as (R)-(?)-2-butanol and (S)-(+)-2-butanol. It is normally found as an equal mixture of the two stereoisomers a racemic mixture. As we know a racemic misture is optically inactive, so, ( )2-Butanol is optically inactive.