Question

how many chiral carbons are there in the compound shown below?
ho - ch₂ - ch - ch - c - h

oh oh o
provide your answer below:
carbons

Explanation:

Step1: Recall the definition of chiral carbon

A chiral carbon is a carbon atom that is bonded to four different groups.

Step2: Analyze each carbon in the compound

• The first carbon (\(HO - CH_2-\)) is bonded to two \(H\) atoms (from \(CH_2\)), so it is not chiral.
• The second carbon (\(-CH-\) with \(OH\)): Let's assume the groups attached are \( - CH_2OH\), \( - OH\), \( - CH(OH)-\), and \(H\) (implicit). These are four different groups, so it is chiral.
• The third carbon (\(-CH-\) with \(OH\)): Let's assume the groups attached are \( - CH(OH)CH_2OH\), \( - OH\), \( - CO - H\), and \(H\) (implicit). These are four different groups, so it is chiral.
• The fourth carbon (\(-C - H\) with \(O\)): It has a double - bond (\(C = O\)), so it is bonded to only three groups (counting the double - bond as one group for chirality consideration), so it is not chiral.

So, there are 2 chiral carbons.

Answer:

2