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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2:11 minutes

Problem 82c

Textbook Question

Draw the enantiomer of each of the following compounds. If the compound is not chiral, state that fact.
(c)

Verified step by step guidance

Analyze the given structure: The compound is a cyclopentane ring with a hydroxyl (-OH) group attached via a wedge bond, indicating stereochemistry.

Determine chirality: A compound is chiral if it has a carbon atom bonded to four different groups and lacks a plane of symmetry. In this case, the carbon attached to the -OH group is bonded to two identical groups (two hydrogens), making the compound achiral.

State the conclusion: Since the compound is not chiral, it does not have an enantiomer.

Explain why enantiomers cannot exist: Enantiomers are non-superimposable mirror images of chiral molecules. Because this molecule is achiral, it cannot have a non-superimposable mirror image.

Summarize: The compound is achiral, and no enantiomer can be drawn for this structure.

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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 four different substituents attached to a central carbon atom, creating two distinct forms known as enantiomers. Understanding chirality is crucial for determining whether a compound can exist in multiple forms that differ in spatial arrangement.

Enantiomers

Enantiomers are a pair of molecules that are mirror images of each other but cannot be superimposed. They often exhibit different optical activities, meaning they rotate plane-polarized light in opposite directions. Identifying enantiomers is essential in organic chemistry, especially in the context of pharmaceuticals, where different enantiomers can have vastly different biological effects.

Chiral Centers

A chiral center, often a carbon atom, is a point in a molecule where four different groups are attached, leading to chirality. If a molecule lacks a chiral center, it is considered achiral and does not have enantiomers. In the provided compound, the absence of a chiral center indicates that it is not chiral, and thus, no enantiomer can be drawn.