which statement about (ch3)2chch2cooh is correct

which statement about (ch3)2chch2cooh is correct

in aquous solution it reacts with mg to form co2
it can form h bonds
it has optical isomers
it has the IUPAC name 2-methylbutanoic acid

B is correct.

i put B however, isnt A and C also correct?

however for C im not quite sure, because in order to have optical isomerism does the longest hydrocarbon chain need to be an uneven number because otherwise there could be two chiral centres, so how are you supposed to know which one is the chiral centre if the hydrocabon chain has an even number?

thank you.

Reply 1

TypicalNerd

Original post by miac0328

When metals react with acids, hydrogen is made, along with a salt. CO2 isn’t made, as this does not decompose or combust the carboxylate group.

There are no optical isomers as there are no chiral centres. For there to be a chiral centre, the molecule must have no symmetry whatsoever. If you draw out the structure of the molecule, you’ll find it can have a symmetrical conformation. If you are an A level student (or equivalent), chiral carbons need to be spotted. You’ll find there are none as no carbons are bound to 4 different groups in that molecule.

D is wrong because the carboxylic acid group is carbon 1 (as per CIP priority rules) and so the next carbon along would be carbon 2. There is no methyl group on carbon 2, so it isn’t 2-methylbutanoic acid.