MolSynapsequestion bank
MolSynapse / Question bank / Stereoisomerism / Optical isomerism and chirality from structures
JEE Advanced levelSingle correct optionDifficulty 3 of 3st226

Propadiene (allene), shown, is achiral. In an allene the two terminal planes are perpendicular to each other. Which of the cumulated polyenes shown as options is chiral?

  1. AStructure P
  2. BStructure Q
  3. CStructure R
  4. DStructure S

Answer: A

In an allene the substituents on the two ends lie in perpendicular planes, so the molecule is chiral when each terminal carbon carries two different groups. Structure P, penta-2,3-diene , has and on each end and no plane of symmetry: chiral. Q (3-methylbuta-1,2-diene) and S (2-methylpenta-2,3-diene) each have one end bearing two identical groups, so the plane of that end is a mirror plane. R, hexa-2,3,4-triene, has an even number of cumulated double bonds, so the two ends lie in the same plane and the molecule shows cis/trans isomerism but is achiral.
Practice Stereoisomerism More on Optical isomerism and chirality from structures

More questions on Optical isomerism and chirality from structures