Question

$\alpha$ -hydroxy propanoic acid has ........ asymmetric carbon atoms.

• A. $4$
• B. $3$
• C. $2$
• D. $1$

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

Asymmetric carbon atom is the carbon, four valencies of which are satisfied by four different groups. The structure of $\alpha$ -hydroxy propanoic acid is

$C{H}_3—\stackrel{\underset{|}{O}H}{C\underset{\ast }{H}}—COOH$

$(C^{\ast }$ = asymmetric carbon atom)

Thus, $\alpha$ -hydroxy propanoic acid has one asymmetric carbon atom.