JEE Main 2026 — General Organic Chemistry Question with Solution

The given structures have a central carbon atom bonded to four groups: $-\text{Br}$, $-\text{Cl}$, $-{\text{CH}}_3$, and $-\text{Me}$.

Since $-{\text{CH}}_3$ and $-\text{Me}$ both represent the same alkyl group (methyl), the central carbon atom is bonded to two identical groups.

For a carbon atom to be a chiral center, it must be bonded to four different groups. Because this condition is not met, the central carbon is not a stereocenter and the molecule is achiral.

Both structures represent the same achiral compound (2-bromo-2-chloropropane) drawn in slightly different orientations. Therefore, they are identical molecules.

Answer: identical molecules.