How many chiral centers are present in the compound $2_{\text{-}}\text{chlorobutane}$?

• A. $0$
• B. $4$
• C. $1$
• D. $2$

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the structure of 2-chlorobutane. It is a four-carbon chain (butane) with a chlorine atom attached to the second carbon.
2. Draw the full structural formula of 2-chlorobutane to visualize all substituents on each carbon atom.
3. Recall that a chiral center (stereocenter) is a carbon atom bonded to four different groups.
4. Examine each carbon in 2-chlorobutane to see if it has four distinct substituents. Focus especially on the second carbon where the chlorine is attached.
5. Determine which carbon(s) meet the criteria for chirality and count the total number of such chiral centers in the molecule.