I am really having a hard time with this question.

Question

Which of these compounds will exhibit optical isomerism? Show why.

a) CH3CH2CONHC2H5

b) CH3-CH-NO2 CH2-COOH

i don't even know where to begin.

Answer 1

Look at carbon #2 from the left. Doesn't that carbon have four separate groups attached?

Answer 2

I didn't say which one did I? I meant #2 carbon of answer 2.