Question
If there is no rotation of plane polarised light by a compound in a specific solvent, though
to be chiral, it may mean that
A.
the compound is certainly a chiral
B.
the compound is certainly $$meso$$
C.
there is no compound in the solvent
D.
the compound may be a racemic mixture
Answer :
the compound is certainly $$meso$$
Solution :
The compounds in which asymmetric carbon atom is present, are called optically active, they rotate the plane polarised light but the compounds which do not show optical activity inspite of the presence of chiral carbon atoms are called $$meso$$ - compounds. The absence of optical activity in these compounds is due to the presence of plane of symmetry in the molecule.