Question

Which of the isomeric alcohols having the molecular formula c5h12o are chiral which are achiral?

Answer 1

Answer:

Chiral:

3-Methyl-2-butanol

Achiral:

1-Pentanol

3-Pentanol

3-Methyl-1-butanol

Explanation:

Only the molecule that bears a carbon atom surrounded by 4 different groups can be said to be Chiral, the other molecules don't satisfy this property.

Answer 2

Answer:

C5H12O has eight isomers  

Chiral isomers are:  

Pentan-2-ol

2-Methylbutan-1-ol

3-Methylbutan-2-ol

Achiral isomers are:

Pentan-1-ol

Pentan-3-ol

3-Methylbutan-1-ol

3-Methylbutan-2-ol

2, 2-dimethylpropan-1-ol

Explanation:

C5H12O has eight isomers out of which three are chiral and five are achiral in nature

The isomers that have carbon atom(s) that are surrounded by four different groups are Chiral in nature while those that do not have such carbon atom(s) are achiral.  

Thus, only pentan-2-ol, 2-methylbutan-1-ol and 3-methylbutan-2-ol which have carbon atoms surrounded by four different groups are chiral. The carbon atom carrying the hydroxyl (-OH) group is the chiral carbon atom in these three isomers. While the carbon atoms in the other five isomers are achiral.