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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4:22 minutes

Problem 35d

Textbook Question

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

Verified step by step guidance

Step 1: Understand the concept of a chiral center. A chiral center (or stereocenter) is a carbon atom that is bonded to four different groups or atoms. This asymmetry makes the molecule non-superimposable on its mirror image.

Step 2: Examine the structure of the molecule provided (Ritalin®). Identify all carbon atoms in the molecule and analyze the groups or atoms attached to each carbon.

Step 3: For each carbon atom, check if it is bonded to four different groups. If a carbon atom meets this criterion, it is a chiral center and should be marked with an asterisk (*).

Step 4: Pay special attention to any carbon atoms that are part of rings or double bonds, as these cannot be chiral centers. A chiral center must have four single bonds to different groups.

Step 5: Once all chiral centers are identified, mark them clearly on the molecular structure with an asterisk (*). Ensure that the marked chiral centers are consistent with the definition of chirality.

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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. This property is crucial in fields like pharmacology, as different enantiomers can have vastly different biological effects.

Chiral Centers

A chiral center, often a carbon atom, is a point in a molecule where the arrangement of atoms leads to chirality. Identifying chiral centers is essential for understanding the stereochemistry of a compound. In practice, these centers are marked with an asterisk (*) to indicate their significance in determining the molecule's optical activity and potential interactions in biological systems.

Stereochemistry

Stereochemistry is the branch of chemistry that deals with the spatial arrangement of atoms in molecules and how this affects their chemical behavior. It encompasses concepts like chirality and the configuration of chiral centers. Understanding stereochemistry is vital for predicting the reactivity and properties of molecules, especially in the context of drug design and synthesis.