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  3. Chemistry
  4. Which one of the following acids exhibits optical activity?

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Q. Which one of the following acids exhibits optical activity?

AMUAMU 2001

Solution:

Key Idea A compound could be optically active only when it contains at least one asymmetric carbon atom or a chiral center (A carbon atom which is attached by four different group is called an asymmetric carbon atom or chiral center).
Lactic acid is
image
It has one asymmetric carbon atom or chiral center. So, it shows optical activity.
While in benzoic acid $\left( C _{6} H _{5} COOH \right)$, oxalic acid image and acetic acid $\left( CH _{3} COOH \right)$ there is no asymmetric carbon atom hence, these are optically inactive.