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NEET levelSingle correct optionDifficulty 1 of 3st278

The compound shown is 1,2-dimethylcyclopropane with both methyl groups on the same face of the ring. It is

  1. Aachiral, because a mirror plane passes through C3 and bisects the C1-C2 bond
  2. Bchiral, because C1 and C2 are both stereocentres
  3. Cachiral, because it has no stereocentre
  4. Dchiral, because the ring is not planar

Answer: A

This is cis-1,2-dimethylcyclopropane, (1R,2S). C1 and C2 are stereocentres, but the molecule has a plane of symmetry that contains C3 and the two hydrogens and bisects the C1-C2 bond. Reflection through this plane exchanges the two equivalent groups, so the molecule is superimposable on its mirror image. It is a meso compound and achiral.
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