For an organic molecule to exhibit optical isomerism, it generally must possess at least one asymmetric (chiral) carbon atom, which is a carbon atom bonded to four different atoms or groups .
Let us analyze the given options:
- 2,3-Dimethylpentane (CH3-CH(CH3)-C∗H(CH3)-CH2-CH3): The carbon atom at position 3 (C3) is bonded to four different groups: a hydrogen atom (−H), a methyl group (−CH3), an ethyl group (−CH2CH3), and an isopropyl group (−CH(CH3)2). Therefore, it is a chiral center, making the molecule optically active. Its molecular formula is C7H16.
- 2,2-Dimethylbutane (CH3-C(CH3)2-CH2-CH3): This molecule has the formula C6H14 (which does not match the given formula) and lacks a chiral center because C2 is attached to three identical methyl groups.
- 2-Methylhexane (CH3-CH(CH3)-CH2-CH2-CH2-CH3): The carbon at position 2 is bonded to two identical methyl groups, so it does not have a chiral center and is achiral.