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Topic: Why is this molecule chiral?  (Read 1924 times)

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Offline owlpower

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Why is this molecule chiral?
« on: September 30, 2018, 04:18:01 AM »
I don't understand why this molecule will rotate plane polarised light.

I look out for 4 different groups attached to the C atom (with CH3 group). That is the C with H and CH3 attached. I just need to decide between the remaining 2 groups.
At the 4 position (where the C=C bond is), I don't know how to assign as the carbons are at "equal intervals" between each other. I can't think of a better way to phrase this, I'm sorry!

Offline PdG3Precatalyst

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Re: Why is this molecule chiral?
« Reply #1 on: September 30, 2018, 07:15:27 AM »
You shouldn't look for an atom with 4 different substituents. It is classical example of axial chirality.

Offline kriggy

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Re: Why is this molecule chiral?
« Reply #2 on: September 30, 2018, 08:32:38 AM »
I wouldnt call it a "classic example" but yeah.

Try to draw the mirror image and you will see.

Offline owlpower

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Re: Why is this molecule chiral?
« Reply #3 on: September 30, 2018, 09:40:13 AM »
I wouldnt call it a "classic example" but yeah.

Try to draw the mirror image and you will see.

Do you mean this? https://imgur.com/a/N0dT4CO

Offline kriggy

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Re: Why is this molecule chiral?
« Reply #4 on: October 02, 2018, 06:32:34 AM »
Pretty much. Now you can see that both mirror immages are different and they cant be superimposed.

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