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Multiple Choice
In the compound 2-bromo-3-chlorobutane, how many of the carbons are chiral centers?
A
1
B
3
C
4
D
2
Verified step by step guidance
1
Identify the structure of 2-bromo-3-chlorobutane. The compound is a four-carbon chain (butane) with a bromine atom attached to the second carbon and a chlorine atom attached to the third carbon.
Understand the concept of a chiral center. A chiral center is a carbon atom that is bonded to four different groups, resulting in non-superimposable mirror images (enantiomers).
Examine each carbon atom in the compound to determine if it is a chiral center. Start with the first carbon: it is bonded to three hydrogen atoms and one carbon atom, so it is not chiral.
Move to the second carbon: it is bonded to a bromine atom, a hydrogen atom, and two different carbon groups (one leading to the first carbon and the other leading to the third carbon). This makes it a chiral center.
Check the third carbon: it is bonded to a chlorine atom, a hydrogen atom, and two different carbon groups (one leading to the second carbon and the other leading to the fourth carbon). This also makes it a chiral center. The fourth carbon is bonded to three hydrogen atoms and one carbon atom, so it is not chiral. Therefore, there are two chiral centers in the compound.