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Why is (pm) butan-2-ol is optically inac...

Why is `(pm)` butan-2-ol is optically inactive?

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`(pm)` butan-2-ol is optically inactive as it exists in two enantiomeric forms, i.e. `(+)` and `(-)` forms, and these are non-superimposable mirror images of each other. Both of them are present in equal amounts, which cancel the optical rotation of each other as (+) butan-2-ol rotates the plane polarised light towards right and (-) butan-2-ol rotates the plane polarised light towards left to the same extent. Therefore, the overall rotation is zero and hence, `(pm)` butan-2-ol is optically inactive.
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Knowledge Check

  • Meso tartaric acid is optically inactive due to the presence of:

    A
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    B
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  • Butan-1-ol and Butan-2-ol are

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