What is a chiral carbon and optical isomerism?

A chiral carbon is a carbon with four distinct molecular groups bonded to it. The main consequence of this is imposing optical isomerism to the compound. Optical isomers can be thought of as a non-superimposable mirror images of its self, much like your hands. Understanding and respecting chirality is critical in drug design and development.

Answered by Michael K. Chemistry tutor

1441 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

Write a half-equation for the overall oxidation of ethanol into ethanoic acid.


Propane and Chlorine react in the presence of UV light to give 2-chloropropane and HCl. Estimate the enthalpy change of this reaction using the following bond enthaplies (KJ/mol) : C-H=+413, Cl-Cl=+243, C-Cl=+346 and H-Cl=+432.


How does pH relate to pKa?


What are the strongest intermolecular forces in CH4, NH3 and H2O? From this deduce which has the highest boiling point, giving reasoning.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo
Cookie Preferences