Question

How many optical isomers are possible for a compound having 3 asymmetric carbon atoms?

• A. 9
• B. 8
• C. 3
• D. 6

Hint:

For compounds with \(n\) chiral centers, the number of possible optical isomers is \(2^n\).

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding optical isomerism.
Optical isomerism arises due to the presence of chiral (asymmetric) carbon atoms. The number of optical isomers for a compound is given by the formula \(2^n\), where \(n\) is the number of chiral centers.

Step 2: Applying the formula.
For a compound with 3 asymmetric carbon atoms, the number of optical isomers is \(2^3 = 8\).

Step 3: Conclusion.
The correct answer is (B) 8, as it corresponds to the formula for calculating the number of optical isomers.