Chiral Center Definition in Chemistry

Chiral Center in Stereochemistry

This is an example of chirality of amino acids.
This is an example of chirality of amino acids, using hands to illustrate how the molecules are mirror images of each other. NASA
By
Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.
Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.
Chemistry Expert
  • Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville
  • B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College
Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels.
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Updated on July 03, 2019

Chiral Center Definition

A chiral center is defined as an atom in a molecule that is bonded to four different chemical species, allowing for optical isomerism. It is a stereocenter that holds a set of atoms (ligands) in space such that the structure may not be superimposed on its mirror immage.

Chiral Center Examples

The central carbon in serine is a chiral carbon. The amino group and hydrogen can rotate about the carbon.

While chiral centers in organic chemistry tend to be carbon atoms, other common atoms include phosphorus, nitrogen, and sulfur. Metal atoms may also serve as chiral centers.

Sources

  • Mislow, Kurt; Siegel, Jay (1984). "Stereoisomerism and local chirality". Journal of the American Chemical Society. 106 (11): 3319. doi:10.1021/ja00323a043
  • Solomons, T. W. Graham; Fryhle, Craig (2004). Organic Chemistry (8th ed.). John Wiley & Sons.
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Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Chiral Center Definition in Chemistry." ThoughtCo, Aug. 25, 2020, thoughtco.com/definition-of-chiral-center-604409. Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. (2020, August 25). Chiral Center Definition in Chemistry. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-chiral-center-604409 Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Chiral Center Definition in Chemistry." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-chiral-center-604409 (accessed March 26, 2023).