e) 2-hydroxypropanoic acid exhibits optical isomerism. i) What is isomerism? ii) Give the structures of the optical isomers.

Chemistry
e) 2-hydroxypropanoic acid exhibits optical isomerism. i) What is isomerism? ii) Give the structures of the optical isomers.

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Answer

optical isomerism

Step 1: Identify the type of isomerism for 2-hydroxypropanoic acid

The structural formula is CH3CH(OH)COOH\mathrm{CH_3CH(OH)COOH}.

The carbon atom at position 2 (alpha carbon) is attached to four different groups: −H\mathrm{-H}, −OH\mathrm{-OH}, −CH3\mathrm{-CH_3}, −COOH\mathrm{-COOH}.

This chiral center results in optical isomerism.

(i) Optical isomerism

Step 2: Structures of the optical isomers

The two enantiomers in Fischer projection (vertical bonds going into the page, horizontal coming out):

First enantiomer:

COOH \\ \, \\ H-C-OH \\ \, \\ CH_3 \end{array}$$ Second enantiomer (mirror image): $$\begin{array}{c} COOH \\ \, \\ HO-C-H \\ \, \\ CH_3 \end{array}$$ These are non-superimposable mirror images. **(ii)** Structures as shown above. optical isomerism
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Identify the type of isomerism for 2-hydroxypropanoic acid The structural formula is CH_3CH(OH)COOH.

e) 2-hydroxypropanoic acid exhibits optical isomerism. i) What is isomerism? ii) Give the structures of the optical isomers.
Chemistry

This chemistry question involves key chemical concepts and calculations. The detailed solution below walks through each step, from identifying the reaction type to computing the final answer.

ScanSolve AI Answer
Step 1: Identify the type of isomerism for 2-hydroxypropanoic acid The structural formula is CH_3CH(OH)COOH. The carbon atom at position 2 (alpha carbon) is attached to four different groups: -H, -OH, -CH_3, -COOH. This chiral center results in optical isomerism. (i) Optical isomerism Step 2: Structures of the optical isomers The two enantiomers in Fischer projection (vertical bonds going into the page, horizontal coming out): First enantiomer: c COOH \\ \, \\ H-C-OH \\ \, \\ CH_3 Second enantiomer (mirror image): c COOH \\ \, \\ HO-C-H \\ \, \\ CH_3 These are non-superimposable mirror images. (ii) Structures as shown above. optical isomerism