Which of the following compounds produces an optically inactive compound on hydrogenation?
(A)(see structure)
(B)(see structure)✓ Correct
(C)(see structure)
(D)(see structure)
Answer: (B)
Solution
Hydrogenation gives an optically inactive product when the saturated molecule ends up with a plane of symmetry, either achiral or meso. The structure in which adding hydrogen across the double bond produces such a symmetric compound, superimposable on its mirror image, is the one that becomes optically inactive, while the others remain chiral after hydrogenation.
JEE Main · 2020 · 03 Sep 2020 · Shift 1 · Single correct option