What is meant by the term chiral?

Chirality is defined rather grandly as asymmetry such that an image and it's reflection are not superimposable. This means that if you reflect the object in a mirror it won't look exactly the same.

For example, a star is not chiral, because if you reflect it, you would be able to put the reflected image on top of the original. On the other hand, your hands are chiral - they are reflections of each other, but you can't put one on top of the other - think of it as trying to put a glove for your left hand on your right hand.

CM

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

Why do certain metals give off different colours when heated?


What key factors would you use to analyse a high resolution proton NMR spectrum


How can one differentiate between the organic compounds propanal (CH3CH2CHO) and propanone (CH3COCH3)?


Explain in terms of bonding and structure the properties of graphite given that it is a good conductor, soft and has a very high melting point