Chapter 5, Problem 5.49P

Interpretation Introduction

(a)

Interpretation:

Whether the given species is chiral or achiral is to be determined.

Concept introduction:

An atom attached to four different atoms or groups is a chiral atom (chiral center). A chiral center is a tetrahedral stereocenter. The atom at the chiral center must be ${\text{sp}}^{\text{3}}$ hybridized and bonded to four different atoms or groups. Carbon and nitrogen are both capable of forming four bonds; therefore, they can be chiral centers if bonded to four different atoms or groups. A meso compound is the one having at least two chiral centers with identical set of substituents and plane of symmetry, and it is achiral. In Fischer projection, the intersection of a horizontal line and a vertical line indicates a carbon atom – typically an asymmetric carbon. The substituents on the horizontal line are assumed to point towards the observer, whereas the substituents on the vertical line are assumed to point away from the observer.

Interpretation Introduction

(b)

Interpretation:

Whether the given species is chiral or achiral is to be determined.

Concept introduction:

An atom attached to four different atoms or groups is a chiral atom (chiral center). A chiral center is a tetrahedral stereocenter. The atom at the chiral center must be ${\text{sp}}^{\text{3}}$ hybridized and bonded to four different atoms or groups. Carbon and nitrogen are both capable of forming four bonds; therefore, they can be chiral centers if bonded to four different atoms or groups. A meso compound is the one having at least two chiral centers with identical set of substituents and plane of symmetry, and it is achiral. In Fischer projection, the intersection of a horizontal line and a vertical line indicates a carbon atom – typically an asymmetric carbon. The substituents on the horizontal line are assumed to point towards the observer, whereas the substituents on the vertical line are assumed to point away from the observer.

Interpretation Introduction

(c)

Interpretation:

Whether the given species is chiral or achiral is to be determined.

Concept introduction:

An atom attached to four different atoms or groups is a chiral atom (chiral center). A chiral center is a tetrahedral stereocenter. The atom at the chiral center must be ${\text{sp}}^{\text{3}}$ hybridized and bonded to four different atoms or groups. Carbon and nitrogen are both capable of forming four bonds; therefore, they can be chiral centers if bonded to four different atoms or groups. A meso compound is the one having at least two chiral centers with identical set of substituents and plane of symmetry, and it is achiral. In Fischer projection, the intersection of a horizontal line and a vertical line indicates a carbon atom – typically an asymmetric carbon. The substituents on the horizontal line are assumed to point towards the observer, whereas the substituents on the vertical line are assumed to point away from the observer.

Interpretation Introduction

(d)

Interpretation:

Whether the given species is chiral or achiral is to be determined.

Concept introduction:

An atom attached to four different atoms or groups is a chiral atom (chiral center). A chiral center is a tetrahedral stereocenter. The atom at the chiral center must be ${\text{sp}}^{\text{3}}$ hybridized and bonded to four different atoms or groups. Carbon and nitrogen are both capable of forming four bonds; therefore, they can be chiral centers if bonded to four different atoms or groups. A meso compound is the one having at least two chiral centers with identical set of substituents and plane of symmetry, and it is achiral. In Fischer projection, the intersection of a horizontal line and a vertical line indicates a carbon atom – typically an asymmetric carbon. The substituents on the horizontal line are assumed to point towards the observer, whereas the substituents on the vertical line are assumed to point away from the observer.