What is chirality?

Sometimes two molecules can exist as non-superimposable mirror-images. That is to say, the mirror image of a molecule cannot be exactly placed on top of the original molecule.

A good example of this is your hands: they are mirror images of one another, but cannot be exactly placed on top of each other. 

Pairs of molecules that exhibit this property are known as enantiomers. When a carbon atom is bonded to four distinct groups, this is known as a chiral centre, and two enantiomers of this arrangement are seen.

PB
Answered by Patrick B. Chemistry tutor

8522 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

How do you determine the shape and bond angle of an ammonia molecule?


How can you deduce the order of the reaction with respect to the reagent based on the graph of its concentration against time?


Describe how you test for an aldehyde or ketone and distinguish between the two.


Acid HA has a Ka of 2.00 x 10-4mol dm-3. A solution was made by adding 15cm3 of 0.34 M NaOH to 25cm3 of 0.45M HA. Calculate the moles and the concentration of A- and HA in this solution. Using the expression for Ka calculate the pH of the solution


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning