March 28, 2024, 06:49:13 PM
Forum Rules: Read This Before Posting


Topic: Chirality of oxygen atom  (Read 874 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Shreezy666

  • New Member
  • **
  • Posts: 3
  • Mole Snacks: +0/-0
  • Gender: Male
Chirality of oxygen atom
« 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?

Offline Orcio_87

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 440
  • Mole Snacks: +39/-3
Re: Chirality of oxygen atom
« Reply #1 on: January 16, 2022, 12:31:40 PM »
If protonated as in your molecule (CH3-CH2-OH+-CH3) then yes.

Offline Shreezy666

  • New Member
  • **
  • Posts: 3
  • Mole Snacks: +0/-0
  • Gender: Male
Re: Chirality of oxygen atom
« Reply #2 on: January 16, 2022, 12:36:34 PM »
Thank you Orcio_87

Offline Orcio_87

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 440
  • Mole Snacks: +39/-3
Re: Chirality of oxygen atom
« Reply #3 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.

Offline Shreezy666

  • New Member
  • **
  • Posts: 3
  • Mole Snacks: +0/-0
  • Gender: Male
Re: Chirality of oxygen atom
« Reply #4 on: January 16, 2022, 01:06:02 PM »
@Orcio_87

Curious about that myself

Sponsored Links