Asymmetric carbon
Asymmetric Carbon
Asymmetric carbon (pronunciation: /æsɪˈmɛtrɪk ˈkɑːrbən/), also known as a chiral carbon, is a carbon atom that is attached to four different types of atoms or groups of atoms.
Etymology
The term "asymmetric" comes from the Greek word "asymmetria", which means "lack of proportion". This refers to the fact that the four different groups attached to the carbon atom are not symmetrical. The term "carbon" comes from the Latin word "carbo", which means "charcoal".
Definition
An asymmetric carbon is a carbon atom that is bonded to four different groups. These groups can be different atoms or different groups of atoms. This asymmetry results in a molecule that cannot be superimposed on its mirror image, making it chiral.
Related Terms
- Chirality (chemistry): The geometric property of a rigid object (or spatial arrangement of points or atoms) of being non-superposable on its mirror image; such an object has no symmetry elements of the second kind.
- Stereochemistry: The study of the spatial arrangements of atoms in molecules and their effects on the chemical and physical properties of substances.
- Enantiomer: One of a pair of molecules that are mirror images of each other.
- Optical isomerism: A form of isomerism in which the different isomers are identical in molecular formula and sequence of bonded atoms, but differ in their three-dimensional orientation in space.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Asymmetric carbon
- Wikipedia's article - Asymmetric carbon
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