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A chiral molecule is a type of molecule that has a non-superposable mirror image. The feature that is most often the cause of chirality in molecules is the presence of an asymmetric carbon atom. [16] [17] The term "chiral" in general is used to describe the object that is non-superposable on its mirror image. [18]
A chiral molecule or ion exists in two stereoisomers that are mirror images of each other, [5] called enantiomers; they are often distinguished as either "right-handed" or "left-handed" by their absolute configuration or some other criterion. The two enantiomers have the same chemical properties, except when reacting with other chiral compounds.
In geometry, a figure is chiral (and said to have chirality) if it is not identical to its mirror image, or, more precisely, if it cannot be mapped to its mirror image by rotations and translations alone. An object that is not chiral is said to be achiral. A chiral object and its mirror image are said to be enantiomorphs.
(S)-(+)-lactic acid (left) and (R)-(–)-lactic acid (right) are nonsuperposable mirror images of each other.. In chemistry, an enantiomer (/ɪˈnænti.əmər, ɛ-, -oʊ-/ [1] ih-NAN-tee-ə-mər), also known as an optical isomer, [2] antipode, [3] or optical antipode, [4] is one of a pair of molecular entities which are mirror images of each other and non-superposable.
In stereochemistry, an asymmetric carbon is a carbon atom that is bonded to four different types of atoms or groups of atoms. [1] [2] The four atoms and/or groups attached to the carbon atom can be arranged in space in two different ways that are mirror images of each other, and which lead to so-called left-handed and right-handed versions (stereoisomers) of the same molecule.
For example, there exists a variety of Cyclohexane conformations (which cyclohexane is an essential intermediate for the synthesis of nylon–6,6) including a chair conformation where four of the carbon atoms form the "seat" of the chair, one carbon atom is the "back" of the chair, and one carbon atom is the "foot rest"; and a boat conformation ...
A meso compound is superposable on its mirror image (not to be confused with superimposable, as any two objects can be superimposed over one another regardless of whether they are the same). Two objects can be superposed if all aspects of the objects coincide and it does not produce a "(+)" or "(-)" reading when analyzed with a polarimeter. [3]
In 1848, Louis Pasteur became the first scientist to discover chirality and enantiomers while he was working with tartaric acid. During the experiments, he noticed that there were two crystal structures produced but these structures looked to be non-superimposable mirror images of each other; this observation of isomers that were non-superimposable mirror images became known as enantiomers.