Question

Draw the structures and indicate the chiral carbon atoms in :

(1) Lactic acid 

(2) 2-Chlorobutane.

Answer 1

(1) In lactic acid structure,

The starred carbon atom is chiral carbon atom as it is attached to four different substituents, COOH, OH, CH₃ and H.

(2) In 2-chlorobutane structure,

The starred carbon atom is chiral carbon atom as it is attached to four different substituents, -CH₂ – CH₃ (ethyl), CH₃ (methyl), Cl and H.