Q. 13.11 - An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry

Question

Identify each of the following structures as chiral or achiral. If chiral, indicate the chiral carbon.

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

Part a) The given structure is achiral.

Part b) The given structure is chiral.

Part c) The given structure is chiral.

Part d) The given structure is achiral.

Step 1: Introduction (Part a)

• Carbohydrates are the most abundant class of organic molecules on the planet. 
• Carbohydrates account for approximately $75\%$of the dry planet's bulk.

Step 2:Explanation(Part a)

• An inverse of chiral is achiral. 
• If a molecule or ion may be superimposed on its mirror counterpart, it is considered achiral. 
• They have a symmetry plane and a symmetry center.

                                       

Step 3:Determine the given structure is chiral or achiral(Part a)

• Meso molecules are achiral molecules with a stereocenter.

• It has an achiral shape. 
• This structure has no carbon linked to any of the four types of atom groups.

Step 4:Explanation(Part b)

• A chiral (or asymmetric) carbon has four separate groups of atoms connected to it.
• There is no plane of symmetry or symmetry center in chiral molecules.
• Enantiomers are non-superimposable mirror counterparts of chiral compounds.
• The absolute configuration determines whether an enantiomer is "right-handed" or "left-handed."

Step 5: Determine the given structure is chiral or achiral(Part b)

• A chiral (or asymmetric) carbon has four separate groups of atoms connected to it.
• It has a chiral shape. This structure has one carbon linked with the four types of atom groups.

                                                     

Step 6:Explanation(Part c)

• A chiral (or asymmetric) carbon has four separate groups of atoms connected to it.
• There is no plane of symmetry or symmetry center in chiral molecules.
• Enantiomers are non-superimposable mirror counterparts of chiral compounds.
• The absolute configuration determines whether an enantiomer is "right-handed" or "left-handed."

Step 7:Determine the given structure is chiral or achiral(Part c)

• A chiral (or asymmetric) carbon has four separate groups of atoms connected to it.

• It has a chiral shape. This structure has one carbon linked with the four types of atom groups.
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Step 8:Explanation(d)

• An inverse of chiral is achiral. 
• If a molecule or ion may be superimposed on its mirror counterpart, it is considered achiral. 
• They have a symmetry plane and a symmetry center.

Step 9:Determine the given structure is chiral or achiral(Part d)

• Meso molecules are achiral molecules with a stereocenter.

• It has an achiral shape. 
• This structure has no carbon linked to any of the four types of atom groups.
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