Question

Which of the following statements is NOT true for glyceraldehyde?

• A. It is a sugar molecule
• B. It is optically active
• C. It contains two asymmetric carbon atoms
• D. It has carbonyl and hydroxyl group

Hint:

The number of optical isomers depends on the number of asymmetric carbon atoms.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding glyceraldehyde.
Glyceraldehyde is the simplest aldotriose sugar containing three carbon atoms.

Step 2: Checking asymmetric carbon atoms.
Glyceraldehyde has only one chiral (asymmetric) carbon atom, not two.

Step 3: Verifying other statements.
It is a sugar, optically active, and contains both carbonyl and hydroxyl functional groups.

Step 4: Conclusion.
Therefore, the incorrect statement is option (C).