Question

Identify the chiral molecule in the following pair :

 

Answer 1

The two structures given are as follows:

The chiral compound is that compound in which at least one carbon atom is attached to four different atoms or groups. Between the two given compounds, 2-chlorobutane contains one carbon atom which is attached to four different entities such as methyl groups, chlorine atom, hydrogen atoms, and ethyl group

But in 1-chlorobutane, there is no carbon atom which is attached to four different atoms or groups. Hence the chiral compound is 2-chlorobutane.

Answer 2

A chiral molecule is the one which has a carbon atom bearing four different groups. In the following pair of molecules, the chiral molecule is