Question

Among the following, the correct statement concerning the optical activity is

• A. a molecule containing two or more chiral centres is always optically active
• B. a molecule containing just one chiral centre is always optically active
• C. a molecule possessing alternating axis of symmetry is optically active
• D. an optically active molecule should have at least one chiral centre

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

For a molecule to be chiral, there should be (i) Alternate axis of symmetry (ii) Plane of symmetry (iii) Centre of symmetry If there are more than one chiral centre in a compound, then it can have only of the above three symmetric elements, so it can become optically inactive.