What is achiral in organic chemistry?

1 Answer
anor277
Sep 30, 2016

A molecule that can be superimposed on its mirror image.

Explanation:

Can you superimpose your right hand on the left hand of your identical twin? You cannot because hands are chiral or handed (the word "chiral" comes from chiepsiloniotarho, the Greek word for "hand"). If a molecule is achiral it is superposable on its mirror image.

In general an achiral carbon centre has at least two of the same groups attached to the carbon, i.e. R_2CR'R''. A carbon with 4 different substituents, CR_1R_2R_3R_4, will necessarily generate 2 optical isomers.

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