Question

Does 3-chloro-3-methylhexane have optical isomers? Why or why not?

Short answer

Yes, 3-chloro-3-methylhexane has optical isomers because it has a chiral center at the third carbon atom, which is connected to four different groups: chlorine, a methyl group, a hydrogen, and the rest of the hexane chain. Having a chiral center allows the molecule to exhibit chirality and subsequently have optical isomers that can rotate plane-polarized light.

Step-by-step solution

Identify the structure of 3-chloro-3-methylhexane

First, let's draw the structure of the molecule. We have a hexane chain, with a chlorine and a methyl group on the third carbon: Cl | H3C – C – H | H3C – C – C – C – C – C – H | H

Analyze the methyl group

Now, let's focus on the third carbon, which has a chlorine, a methyl group, a hydrogen, and is connected to the rest of the hexane chain. It seems that this carbon is connected to four different groups: 1. Chlorine 2. Methyl group (CH3) 3. Hydrogen 4. The rest of the hexane chain

Determine if the third carbon is a chiral center

The carbon atom is connected to four different groups, so we can conclude that this carbon atom is a chiral center.

Determine if 3-chloro-3-methylhexane has optical isomers

Since 3-chloro-3-methylhexane has a chiral center (third carbon atom), it can have optical isomers. Optical isomers are stereoisomers that exhibit chirality and therefore are able to rotate plane-polarized light. In conclusion, 3-chloro-3-methylhexane does have optical isomers because it has a chiral center at the third carbon atom.