Which of the following compounds is chiral?

• A. ${\mathrm{CH}}_3\mathrm{CH}{\mathrm{Br}}_1\mathrm{Cl}F$ (2-bromo-1-chloro-1-fluoroethane)
• B. ${\mathrm{CH}}_3{\mathrm{CH}}_2\mathrm{OH}$ (ethanol)
• C. ${\mathrm{CH}}_3\mathrm{COOH}$ (acetic acid)
• D. ${\mathrm{CH}}_3{\mathrm{CH}}_2\mathrm{Br}$ (bromoethane)

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the concept of chirality: A molecule is chiral if it has at least one carbon atom bonded to four different substituents, making it a stereocenter (chiral center).
2. Examine each compound's structure to find any carbon atoms bonded to four different groups:
3. For 2-bromo-1-chloro-1-fluoroethane, look at the carbon atoms and check if any carbon is attached to four distinct substituents (e.g., H, Br, Cl, F, or CH3 groups).
4. For ethanol, acetic acid, and bromoethane, analyze their carbon atoms similarly to see if any carbon has four different groups attached.
5. Conclude which compound contains a chiral center based on the presence of a carbon with four different substituents, indicating chirality.