What can cause chirality?
A carbon atom having four different groups attached to itAllenes w sub’sRestricted rotation about a single bond
Chirality, or handedness, is the property of an object or molecule that is not superimposable on its mirror image. The cause of chirality in molecules is due to the presence of asymmetric centers, often represented by a carbon atom with four different groups attached to it (also known as a chiral carbon).
The arrangement of these groups around the chiral carbon creates two different mirror image forms, or enantiomers, which cannot be superimposed on one another. The presence of an asymmetric center can arise from a number of factors, such as the structure of the starting materials used to synthesize the molecule, or the way in which the molecule is synthesized. Enzymes can also play a role in creating chirality in biological molecules.
In addition to molecular chirality, there can also be chirality in macroscopic objects, such as crystals or hand-like objects. This can arise from the arrangement of atoms or molecules in a specific symmetrical pattern, which results in the object having a distinct handedness.
More Answers:
Key Importance of Chiral Carbon in Chemistry, Biochemistry, and PharmaceuticalsHow to Assign Configurations on Fischer Projections: A Guide Based on Prioritizing Substituents
Chiral Resolution: Separating Enantiomers for Safe and Effective Pharmaceutical Use