Page 7 Flashcards
Why is CHBrClF a chiral molecule?
A: CHBrClF is chiral because its mirror images (A and B) cannot be superimposed, even after rotation.
What are the two stereoisomers of CHBrClF called?
A: Enantiomers.
What structural feature makes a molecule chiral?
A: A carbon atom with four different groups attached to it, forming a tetrahedral stereogenic center.
Why can A and B, the mirror images of CHBrClF, never align?
A: The atoms in A and B are arranged in different spatial configurations, making alignment impossible.
What type of stereoisomers are enantiomers?
A: Enantiomers are stereoisomers that are non-superimposable mirror images of each other.
How is a stereogenic center related to chirality?
A: A stereogenic center, where four different groups are attached to a carbon atom, is a key feature of chiral molecules.
Can a molecule with a plane of symmetry be chiral?
A: No, a molecule with a plane of symmetry is achiral because it can be superimposed on its mirror image.
