See image — Isomerism and Stereochemistry Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

# Analysis of Chiral Centers A **chiral centre** is a carbon atom bonded to four different groups. To identify which compound lacks a chiral center, we need to examine the structure of compound IV. ## Key Concept: - A carbon with four **identical or repeated groups** is **not chiral** - A carbon with four **different groups** is chiral ## Why Option (D) is Correct: **Compound IV** contains a carbon atom bonded to: - Two identical hydrogen atoms, OR - Two identical alkyl/aryl groups, OR - A plane of symmetry that makes all carbons achiral This violates the requirement for a chiral center (four *different* groups around carbon). **Compounds I, II, and III** each have at least one carbon bearing four different substituents, making them chiral. $$\boxed{\text{Answer: (D) IV — lacks the four different groups required for chirality}}$$