Question

how many chiral carbons are there in the compound shown below?

• your answer should be an integer.

h oh h br h
h-c-c-c-c-c-cl
h h h h h
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 (left - most) is bonded to three H atoms and one C atom. Not chiral.
• The second carbon is bonded to one H, one OH, one C (left), and one C (right). Four different groups. Chiral.
• The third carbon is bonded to two H atoms. Not chiral.
• The fourth carbon is bonded to one Br, one H, one C (left), and one C (right). Four different groups. Chiral.
• The fifth carbon is bonded to three H atoms and one C atom. Not chiral.
• The sixth carbon (right - most) is bonded to three H atoms and one Cl atom. Not chiral.

So, there are 2 chiral carbons.

Answer:

2