Which one of the following molecules contains a chiral carbon?
A - VCE - SSCE Chemistry - Question 19 - 2018 - Paper 1
Question 19
Which one of the following molecules contains a chiral carbon?
A. CH3CH2CH3
B. CH3FCH2CH2Cl
C. CH3CHOCH2CH3
D. CH3CH2CFClCH2CH3
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Which one of the following molecules contains a chiral carbon?
A - VCE - SSCE Chemistry - Question 19 - 2018 - Paper 1
Step 1
A. CH3CH2CH3
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Answer
This molecule has no chiral centers, as each carbon is either symmetrically substituted or has only hydrogens attached.
Step 2
B. CH3FCH2CH2Cl
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Answer
The second carbon is attached to two different substituents (F and Cl) along with hydrogens. However, it does not create a chiral carbon as the other carbon is not asymmetric.
Step 3
C. CH3CHOCH2CH3
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Answer
This molecule has symmetrical substitutions on its carbons, and therefore does not contain a chiral carbon.
Step 4
D. CH3CH2CFClCH2CH3
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Answer
This molecule has a carbon atom attached to four different substituents: a ethyl group (CH3-), another ethyl group (CH2-), a chlorine atom (Cl), and a fluorine atom (F). This configuration makes it a chiral carbon.
