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CH3 H CH3

CH3 H CH3

Chemistry
Chemistry
10th Edition
ISBN:9781305957404
Author:Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan A. Zumdahl, Donald J. DeCoste
Publisher:Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan A. Zumdahl, Donald J. DeCoste
Chapter1: Chemical Foundations
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1RQ: Define and explain the differences between the following terms. a. law and theory b. theory and...
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Complete the following Newman projection so that it represents (2R,3S)-2,3-butanediol.

### Representing a Chiral Carbon with Substituents In organic chemistry, chiral carbons are fundamental concepts, particularly when studying stereochemistry. The diagram provided exemplifies a chiral carbon atom bonded to four different substituents, visualized in a tetrahedral geometry. #### Diagram Explanation **Central Atom:** - The central carbon (depicted as a circle at the intersection of bonds) is highlighted to indicate its chiral nature, having four distinct substituents attached to it. **Substituents:** 1. **Hydrogen (H):** Represented by a line leading to a "H". 2. **Methyl Group (CH₃):** Two of the substituents are methyl groups, represented by lines leading to "CH₃". 3. **placeholder Groups:** There are three placeholders, represented by rectangular boxes, indicating that the remaining three bonds lead to different groups (or atoms), making the central carbon chiral. ### Key Characteristics of Chiral Carbon: 1. **Tetrahedral Geometry:** The central carbon forms a tetrahedral geometry with its four substituents. 2. **Four Different Substituents:** The chiral nature arises from the presence of four unique groups or atoms attached to the central carbon. 3. **Non-superimposable Mirror Images:** The presence of these different groups ensures that the molecule can form non-superimposable mirror images, known as enantiomers. In applications of stereochemistry, the configuration of these substituents determines the optical activity of the molecule, influencing how it interacts with plane-polarized light – a property crucial in fields ranging from pharmacology to materials science.
Transcribed Image Text:### Representing a Chiral Carbon with Substituents In organic chemistry, chiral carbons are fundamental concepts, particularly when studying stereochemistry. The diagram provided exemplifies a chiral carbon atom bonded to four different substituents, visualized in a tetrahedral geometry. #### Diagram Explanation **Central Atom:** - The central carbon (depicted as a circle at the intersection of bonds) is highlighted to indicate its chiral nature, having four distinct substituents attached to it. **Substituents:** 1. **Hydrogen (H):** Represented by a line leading to a "H". 2. **Methyl Group (CH₃):** Two of the substituents are methyl groups, represented by lines leading to "CH₃". 3. **placeholder Groups:** There are three placeholders, represented by rectangular boxes, indicating that the remaining three bonds lead to different groups (or atoms), making the central carbon chiral. ### Key Characteristics of Chiral Carbon: 1. **Tetrahedral Geometry:** The central carbon forms a tetrahedral geometry with its four substituents. 2. **Four Different Substituents:** The chiral nature arises from the presence of four unique groups or atoms attached to the central carbon. 3. **Non-superimposable Mirror Images:** The presence of these different groups ensures that the molecule can form non-superimposable mirror images, known as enantiomers. In applications of stereochemistry, the configuration of these substituents determines the optical activity of the molecule, influencing how it interacts with plane-polarized light – a property crucial in fields ranging from pharmacology to materials science.
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