See image — Isomerism and Stereochemistry Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

# Identifying Chiral Carbon A **chiral carbon** (stereogenic center) has four different groups attached to it. ## Analysis of Each Option: **(1)** $CH_3-\overset{H}{CH}-CH_2COOH$ - Central C bonded to: $CH_3$, $H$, $CH_2COOH$, $H$ - Two $H$ atoms → **NOT chiral** ✗ **(2)** $CH_3-CH=CH-CH_3$ - Contains $C=C$ double bond - Carbons in double bonds are **sp² hybridized** → **NOT chiral** ✗ **(3)** $CH_3-\overset{CH_3}{CH}-CH_2OH$ - Central C bonded to: $CH_3$, $CH_3$, $CH_2OH$, $H$ - Two identical $CH_3$ groups → **NOT chiral** ✗ **(4)** $CH_3-CHOH-CH_2CH_3$ - Central C bonded to: $CH_3$, $OH$, $CH_2CH_3$, $H$ - **All four groups are different** → **CHIRAL** ✓ ## Answer: **(4) is correct** The carbon bearing the $OH$ group has four distinct substituents, making it a chiral center with optical isomerism (D/L or R/S stereochemistry).