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Chemistry Forums for Students => High School Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: Shreezy666 on January 16, 2022, 12:27:22 PM

Title: Chirality of oxygen atom
Post by: Shreezy666 on January 16, 2022, 12:27:22 PM

Is it possible for an oxygen atom to be a chiral centre. Since chirality is based on the principle that an atom has four different electron densities around it and nitrogen can also be chiral, I was wondering if this is possible?

Title: Re: Chirality of oxygen atom
Post by: Orcio_87 on January 16, 2022, 12:31:40 PM

If protonated as in your molecule (CH₃-CH₂-OH⁺-CH₃) then yes.

Title: Re: Chirality of oxygen atom
Post by: Shreezy666 on January 16, 2022, 12:36:34 PM

Thank you Orcio_87

Title: Re: Chirality of oxygen atom
Post by: Orcio_87 on January 16, 2022, 12:44:35 PM

@Shreezy666

If memory is correct similiar amines - CH₃-CH₂-NH-CH₃ undergoes rapid inversion, so they are chiral in theory, but not in practice.

I mean - does this compound can be isolated in practice (as some form of a salt) is the other thing.

Title: Re: Chirality of oxygen atom
Post by: Shreezy666 on January 16, 2022, 01:06:02 PM

@Orcio_87

Curious about that myself