Question

The compound(s) showing optical activity is/are

• A.
• B.
• C.
• D.

Hint:

Using a simple frame or just bolding for the box
Key Points:
Optical activity requires chirality (non-superimposable mirror image).
Presence of a chiral center (carbon with 4 different groups) usually leads to chirality.
Exception: Meso compounds have chiral centers but are achiral due to internal symmetry (e.g., a plane of symmetry).
Glycine (A) is achiral. Lactic acid (B) and Glyceraldehyde (C) are chiral.
Tartaric acid (D) exists as chiral enantiomers and an achiral meso form. The diagram shows the meso form, but the compound name itself includes optically active forms.