Table of contents

1. A Review of General Chemistry5h 5m
2. Molecular Representations1h 14m
3. Acids and Bases2h 46m
4. Alkanes and Cycloalkanes4h 17m
5. Chirality3h 39m
6. Thermodynamics and Kinetics1h 22m
7. Substitution Reactions1h 48m
8. Elimination Reactions2h 30m
9. Alkenes and Alkynes2h 9m
10. Addition Reactions3h 19m
11. Radical Reactions1h 58m
12. Alcohols, Ethers, Epoxides and Thiols2h 42m
13. Alcohols and Carbonyl Compounds2h 17m
14. Synthetic Techniques1h 26m
15. Analytical Techniques:IR, NMR, Mass Spect7h 3m
16. Conjugated Systems6h 13m
17. Ultraviolet Spectroscopy51m
18. Aromaticity2h 34m
19. Reactions of Aromatics: EAS and Beyond5h 1m
20. Phenols55m
21. Aldehydes and Ketones: Nucleophilic Addition4h 56m
22. Carboxylic Acid Derivatives: NAS2h 51m
23. The Chemistry of Thioesters, Phophate Ester and Phosphate Anhydrides1h 10m
24. Enolate Chemistry: Reactions at the Alpha-Carbon1h 53m
25. Condensation Chemistry2h 9m
26. Amines1h 43m
27. Heterocycles2h 0m
28. Carbohydrates5h 53m
29. Amino Acids4h 20m
30. Peptides and Proteins2h 42m
31. Catalysis in Organic Reactions1h 30m
32. Lipids 2h 50m
33. The Organic Chemistry of Metabolic Pathways2h 52m
34. Nucleic Acids1h 32m
35. Transition Metals6h 14m
36. Synthetic Polymers1h 49m

5. Chirality

Chirality

Organic Chemistry

5. Chirality

Chirality

Previous problemNext problem

Struggling with Organic Chemistry?

Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first video

Multiple Choice

In the context of chirality, which of the following statements is true about a molecule with a chiral center?

It must have a plane of symmetry.

It can exist as two enantiomers.

It is always optically inactive.

It cannot have any stereoisomers.

Previous problemNext problem

Verified step by step guidance

Understand the concept of chirality: A chiral molecule is one that cannot be superimposed on its mirror image. This is often due to the presence of a chiral center, typically a carbon atom bonded to four different groups.

Identify the characteristics of a chiral center: A chiral center, also known as a stereocenter, is a carbon atom that has four different substituents. This asymmetry allows for the existence of two non-superimposable mirror images, known as enantiomers.

Evaluate the statement about the plane of symmetry: A molecule with a chiral center does not have a plane of symmetry. If it did, it would be achiral, as the plane of symmetry would allow the molecule to be superimposed on its mirror image.

Consider optical activity: A chiral molecule is typically optically active, meaning it can rotate plane-polarized light. Therefore, the statement that it is always optically inactive is incorrect.

Analyze the possibility of stereoisomers: A molecule with a chiral center can have stereoisomers, specifically enantiomers. These are two stereoisomers that are mirror images of each other but not superimposable, confirming that the statement about not having any stereoisomers is false.