Table of contents

1. Matter and Measurements4h 31m
2. Atoms and the Periodic Table5h 23m
3. Ionic Compounds2h 18m
4. Molecular Compounds2h 18m
5. Classification & Balancing of Chemical Reactions3h 17m
6. Chemical Reactions & Quantities2h 27m
7. Energy, Rate and Equilibrium3h 46m
8. Gases, Liquids and Solids3h 25m
9. Solutions4h 10m
10. Acids and Bases3h 29m
11. Nuclear Chemistry56m
BONUS: Lab Techniques and Procedures1h 38m
BONUS: Mathematical Operations and Functions47m
12. Introduction to Organic Chemistry1h 34m
13. Alkenes, Alkynes, and Aromatic Compounds2h 12m
14. Compounds with Oxygen or Sulfur1h 6m
15. Aldehydes and Ketones1h 1m
16. Carboxylic Acids and Their Derivatives1h 11m
17. Amines39m
18. Amino Acids and Proteins1h 51m
19. Enzymes1h 37m
20. Carbohydrates1h 41m
21. The Generation of Biochemical Energy2h 8m
22. Carbohydrate Metabolism2h 22m
23. Lipids2h 26m
24. Lipid Metabolism1h 45m
25. Protein and Amino Acid Metabolism1h 37m
26. Nucleic Acids and Protein Synthesis2h 54m

13. Alkenes, Alkynes, and Aromatic Compounds

Chirality

GOB Chemistry

13. Alkenes, Alkynes, and Aromatic Compounds

Chirality

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2:59 minutes

Problem 80d

Textbook Question

Mark the chiral centers in the following molecules, if any, with an asterisk (*).
(d)

Verified step by step guidance

Identify the structure of dihydroxyacetone. Dihydroxyacetone is a simple carbohydrate with the molecular formula C3H6O3. Its structure consists of a three-carbon chain with two hydroxyl (-OH) groups and one carbonyl (C=O) group.

Recall the definition of a chiral center. A chiral center is a carbon atom that is bonded to four different groups or atoms. This asymmetry makes the carbon atom chiral.

Examine each carbon atom in the dihydroxyacetone molecule. Start with the first carbon, then the second, and finally the third. Check if each carbon is bonded to four distinct groups.

Analyze the central carbon atom (C2) in dihydroxyacetone. This carbon is part of the carbonyl group (C=O) and is bonded to two other carbons. Since it does not have four distinct groups, it is not a chiral center.

Conclude that dihydroxyacetone does not have any chiral centers. None of the carbon atoms in the molecule meet the criteria for chirality, as no carbon is bonded to four unique groups.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Chirality

Chirality refers to the geometric property of a molecule that makes it non-superimposable on its mirror image. A chiral molecule typically has at least one carbon atom bonded to four different substituents, creating two distinct forms known as enantiomers. Understanding chirality is crucial in fields like pharmacology, as different enantiomers can have different biological effects.

Chiral Centers

A chiral center, often a carbon atom, is a point in a molecule where the interchange of two groups produces a stereoisomer. Identifying chiral centers is essential for determining the stereochemistry of a compound. In the context of the question, marking these centers helps in understanding the molecule's potential interactions and reactivity.

Dihydroxyacetone

Dihydroxyacetone (DHA) is a simple carbohydrate and the active ingredient in many self-tanning products. It is a three-carbon molecule with two hydroxyl groups, but it does not have any chiral centers, as it does not possess a carbon atom bonded to four different groups. Recognizing the structure and properties of DHA is important for understanding its application in cosmetic chemistry.

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Mark the chiral centers in the following molecules, if any, with an asterisk (*).(d)

Key Concepts

Chirality

Chiral Centers

Dihydroxyacetone

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Mark the chiral centers in the following molecules, if any, with an asterisk (*).
(d)