How many asymmetric carbons are in the following molecule?

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

To determine how many asymmetric (chiral) carbons are present, we look for tetrahedral carbon atoms that have four different substituents.

Option a: 4. This would require four distinct stereocenters. In the given molecule, the two carbons of the C=C double bond are sp2 hybridized and each carbon on the double bond is bonded to three groups in a planar arrangement, not four different substituents. Therefore these are not asymmetric.

Option b: 1. A single chiral center would require a carbon with four different substituents in a tetrahedral geometry. The remaining carbons in the chain are CH2 units or are part of the double bond; none of them meet the four-different-substituents criterion. Hence, no single chiral center.

Option c: 2. Two chiral centers would require two distinct tetrahedral carbons each bonded to four different groups. Inspecting the structure, none of the sp3 carbons has four distinct substituents: the alkene carbons are sp2 (not chiral), and the saturated carbons (if present) are typically bonded to hydrogens or repeated groups rather than four different groups. Thus, two chiral centers are not present.

Option d: 3. Similar reasoning as above shows that introducing three chiral centers would require three distinct sp3 carbons with four different substituents, which is not the case here.

Overall, the molecule lacks any carbon atom bonded to four different substituents in a tetrahedral geometry, so there are zero asymmetric (chiral) centers. Each option—4, 1, 2, or 3—claims a positive count that is not supported by the structural analysis. The assessment of each option hinges on recognizing that the double-bonded carbons are not chiral and the saturated carbons do not carry four distinct substituents. Consequently, none of the provided options correctly states the number of asymmetric carbons for this molecule.

MUF0042 Chemistry Unit 2 - Semester 1, 2025 2.6 Quiz: Asymmetric Carbons

How many asymmetric carbons are in the following molecule?

View Explanation

Log in for full answers

Similar Questions

How many asymmetric carbon atoms are present in the following compounds?CH3 CH2 CH2 CH(CH3) CH2 CH2 CH2 CH3

How many asymmetric carbon atoms are present in the following compound? CH3 CH2 CHCl CHCl CH2 CH2OH

How many chiral carbons are in the following semi-structural formula?CH3CH2CHClCHOHCH3

Q3 V3Which molecule possess a chiral centre?

How many asymmetric carbons are there in pentan-2-one?

How many asymmetric carbons are there in pentan-2-one?

In a consumer society, many adults channel creativity into buying things

Economic stress and unpredictable times have resulted in a booming industry for self-help products

More Practical Tools for Students Powered by AI Study Helper

Homework AI Solver

Stylized AI Paper Writer

Plagiarism Checker Assistant

Citation AI Academic Writing Tool

In-Class Translation Assistant

AI Note Generator

AI Quiz Answers

Past Exam Questions from University Test Bank

Smart Practice Assistant

Adaptive Practice

Making Your Study Simpler