sir plzzzzz explain what are chiral molecules???????????????

iit jee, 13 years ago

Grade:Upto college level

2 Answers

vijesh jayan

49 Points

13 years ago

A chiral molecule is a type of molecule that lacks an internal plane of symmetry and has a non-superposable mirror image. The feature that is most often the cause of chirality in molecules is the presence of an asymmetric carbon atom.

The term chiral (pronounced /'ka?r?l/) in general is used to describe an object that is non-superposable on its mirror image. Achiral (not chiral) objects are objects that are identical to their mirror image. Human hands are perhaps the most universally recognized example of chirality: The left hand is a non-superposable mirror image of the right hand; no matter how the two hands are oriented, it is impossible for all the major features of both hands to coincide. This difference in symmetry becomes obvious if someone attempts to shake the right hand of a person using his left hand, or if a left-handed glove is placed on a right hand. The term chirality is derived from the Greek word for hand, χειρ (cheir). It is a mathematical approach to the concept of "handedness".

In chemistry, chirality usually refers to molecules. Two mirror images of a chiral molecule are called enantiomers or optical isomers. Pairs of enantiomers are often designated as "right-" and "left-handed."

Molecular chirality is of interest because of its application to stereochemistry in inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, physical chemistry, biochemistry, and supramolecular chemistry

Two enantiomers of a generic amino acid

(S)-Alanine (left) and (R)-alanine (right) in zwitterionic form at neutral pH

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Approved

Sudheesh Singanamalla

114 Points

13 years ago

Chiral Molecules commonly comprise a carbon atom attached to four different substituents. The substituents can be either atoms or groups of atoms, but each must differ from the other three for the carbon atom to be a chiral center (stereocenter).

A chiral molecule is one that is not superimposable on its mirror image; it has the property of rotating the plane of polarisation of plane-polarised monochromatic light that is passed through it. This phenomenon is called optical activity.

Visit this link for more and clear explanations.

http://www.rod.beavon.clara.net/chiralit.htm

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