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Which of the following acids does not exhibit optical isomerism?
A
Tartaric acid
B
Maleic acid
C
$\alpha$-amino acids
D
Lactic acid
Detailed Solution
Optical isomerism needs a chiral centre.
Tartaric acid, lactic acid and $\alpha$-amino acids (except glycine) have chiral carbon atoms.
Maleic acid, cis-$HOOC-CH=CH-COOH$, has no chiral carbon and has a plane of symmetry, so it does not show optical isomerism (it shows geometrical isomerism).
Tartaric acid, lactic acid and $\alpha$-amino acids (except glycine) have chiral carbon atoms.
Maleic acid, cis-$HOOC-CH=CH-COOH$, has no chiral carbon and has a plane of symmetry, so it does not show optical isomerism (it shows geometrical isomerism).