Question

Which of the following atoms can be a chiral center in a given molecular species?
(i) Carbon (ii) Nitrogen
(iii) Phosphorus (iv) Silicon
A. (i),(ii),(iii),(iv)
B. (ii),(iii),(iv)
C. (iii),(iv)
D. Only (i)

Answer 1

Correct Answer - A
A chiral center is an atom bonded tetrahedrally to four different atoms or groups of atoms (ligands).A chiral center is usually a `C` atom but may be `N,P,Si,` etc.
Example of `C,Si` and `P` serving as chiral centers (stereocenters) are:
`H_(2)C=CH-underset(Br)underset(|)overset(H)overset(|)(C^(**))-CH_(2)CH_(3)`
`CH_(3)CH_(2)-.^**underset(CI)underset(|)overset(CH_(3))overset(|)(Si)-CH_(2)CH_(2)CH_(3)`
`CH_(3)CH_(2)-overset(CH_(3))underset(underset(..)(overset(-)overset(.).Ooverset(.).))underset(|)overset(+|**)(N)-CH_(2)CH_(2)CH_(3)`
`CH_(3)CH_(2)-overset(CH_(3))overset(+|**)underset(H)underset(|)(P)-CH_(2)CH_(2)CH_(3)`