Which of the following molecules is optically active? CH3 CH3 CH3 CH3 H3C CH3 H3C CH3

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Which of the following molecules is optically active?

**Which of the following molecules is optically active?**

1. ![Molecule 1](link_to_image)  
   This molecule has a chiral center with the following configuration: 
   - One methyl group (CH₃) attached through a solid wedge indicating a bond coming out of the plane toward the observer.
   - Other substituents branching in different directions, some indicated with dashed lines (going away from the observer) and others with regular lines (in the plane of the paper).

2. ![Molecule 2](link_to_image)  
   This molecule indicates another structure with:
   - One chiral carbon bonded to a methyl group through a solid wedge.
   - Other structural lines and bonds diverging away from that carbon center.

3. ![Molecule 3 - Selected](link_to_image) 
   This molecule is marked as the correct answer, indicating an optically active compound:
   - The specific arrangement shows two chiral centers bonded to methyl groups (CH₃), both represented by solid and dashed wedges.

4. ![Molecule 4](link_to_image)  
   This molecule depicts a cyclic structure with:
   - One chiral center bonded to a methyl group using a wedge and dashed lines showing other bonds in the plane or behind the plane.

5. ![Molecule 5](link_to_image)  
   Another cyclic molecule with:
   - Two chiral centers connected to methyl groups (CH₃), illustrated through wedge and dashed arrangements for spatial configuration.

**Explanation:**
Optical activity arises due to the presence of chiral centers in molecules, which are carbon atoms attached to four different groups. The configuration causes non-superimposable mirror images (enantiomers) which rotate plane-polarized light. The third molecule among the given options is identified as the optically active molecule because it has the specific spatial arrangement of atoms leading to chirality.

**Key Education Point:** 
Understanding chirality and optically active molecules is crucial for grasping concepts in stereochemistry. Identifying chiral centers involves checking for carbon atoms bonded to four different groups, including geometric and structural analysis of molecular diagrams.
Transcribed Image Text:**Which of the following molecules is optically active?** 1. ![Molecule 1](link_to_image) This molecule has a chiral center with the following configuration: - One methyl group (CH₃) attached through a solid wedge indicating a bond coming out of the plane toward the observer. - Other substituents branching in different directions, some indicated with dashed lines (going away from the observer) and others with regular lines (in the plane of the paper). 2. ![Molecule 2](link_to_image) This molecule indicates another structure with: - One chiral carbon bonded to a methyl group through a solid wedge. - Other structural lines and bonds diverging away from that carbon center. 3. ![Molecule 3 - Selected](link_to_image) This molecule is marked as the correct answer, indicating an optically active compound: - The specific arrangement shows two chiral centers bonded to methyl groups (CH₃), both represented by solid and dashed wedges. 4. ![Molecule 4](link_to_image) This molecule depicts a cyclic structure with: - One chiral center bonded to a methyl group using a wedge and dashed lines showing other bonds in the plane or behind the plane. 5. ![Molecule 5](link_to_image) Another cyclic molecule with: - Two chiral centers connected to methyl groups (CH₃), illustrated through wedge and dashed arrangements for spatial configuration. **Explanation:** Optical activity arises due to the presence of chiral centers in molecules, which are carbon atoms attached to four different groups. The configuration causes non-superimposable mirror images (enantiomers) which rotate plane-polarized light. The third molecule among the given options is identified as the optically active molecule because it has the specific spatial arrangement of atoms leading to chirality. **Key Education Point:** Understanding chirality and optically active molecules is crucial for grasping concepts in stereochemistry. Identifying chiral centers involves checking for carbon atoms bonded to four different groups, including geometric and structural analysis of molecular diagrams.
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