Chirality and Stereochemistry

Additional Reading

Chapter 5 McMurry

 

The world around us is brimming with asymmetry. From the spiral of a seashell to the curl of a fingerprint, handedness, or chirality, plays a fascinating role in both nature and human invention. In the realm of organic chemistry, chirality takes center stage, impacting the properties and functions of molecules in profound ways.

Chiral
chi·ral
/ˈkīrəl/
      adjective
      CHEMISTRY
  1. asymmetric in such a way that the structure and its mirror image are not superimposable. Chiral compounds are typically optically active (i.e. they rotate plae polarized light).  Many larger organic molecules often have one or more chiral centers where four different groups are attached to a carbon atom.

Enalapril, sold under the brand name Vasotec among others, is a medication used to treat high blood pressure, diabetic kidney disease, and heart failure. It is generally used with a diuretic, such as furosemide, for heart failure.

ActionCan you find 3 carbons in Enalapril below that have 4 different groups attached them?