See image — Isomerism and Stereochemistry Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

# Identifying a Chiral Compound **Definition of Chirality:** A molecule is chiral if it contains a carbon atom bonded to four different groups (a stereogenic center). **Analysis of each option:** **(1) Hexane** ($C_6H_{14}$) - Linear alkane with no stereogenic centers - Not chiral **(2) Methane** ($CH_4$) - Only one carbon with four identical hydrogen atoms - Not chiral **(3) n-butane** ($CH_3CH_2CH_2CH_3$) - Linear alkane; all carbons have at least two identical groups - Not chiral **(4) 2,3,4-trimethyl hexane** - Structure: $CH_3-\underbrace{CH(CH_3)}_{C_2}-\underbrace{CH(CH_3)}_{C_3}-\underbrace{CH(CH_3)}_{C_4}-CH_2-CH_3$ - **Carbon-3** is bonded to: - A methyl group ($-CH_3$) - A methyl branch ($-CH_3$) - An ethyl group ($-CH_2CH_3$) - A hydrogen atom ($-H$) - Four *different* groups → stereogenic center - **Chiral compound** ✓ **Answer: (4) 2,3,4-trimethyl hexane** is the only compound with a stereogenic center, making it chiral.