Which of the following is an example of optically active compounds wit...
Optically Active Compounds without Chirality
There are compounds that are optically active without possessing chirality. Here are a few examples:
Tartaric Acid
Tartaric acid is a chiral molecule that exhibits optical activity due to its asymmetry. It has stereocenters that give rise to its chiral nature.
Sulfonium Salt
Sulfonium salts are examples of compounds that are optically active without chirality. These compounds do not have stereocenters, yet they can exhibit optical activity due to the presence of asymmetric environments around the sulfur atom.
Diphenic Acid
Diphenic acid is another example of an optically active compound without chirality. Although it contains two phenyl groups, it lacks stereocenters, making it achiral. However, due to the presence of an asymmetric environment, it can exhibit optical activity.
Glyceraldehyde
Glyceraldehyde is a chiral molecule that exhibits optical activity due to its stereocenters. It is not an example of an optically active compound without chirality.
In conclusion, compounds like sulfonium salts and diphenic acid can exhibit optical activity without possessing chirality. This phenomenon highlights the importance of considering the overall molecular structure and symmetry when determining the optical activity of a compound.