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A Chiral Molecule Is A Type of Molecule That Lacks An Internal Plane of Symmetry and Has A Non
A Chiral Molecule Is A Type of Molecule That Lacks An Internal Plane of Symmetry and Has A Non
non-superimposable mirror image. The feature that is most often the cause of chirality in
molecules is the presence of an asymmetric carbon atom.[1][2]
The term chiral (pronounced /ˈkaɪrəl/) in general is used to describe an object that is non-
superposable on its mirror image. Achiral (not chiral) objects are objects that are identical to
their mirror image. Human hands are perhaps the most universally recognized example of
chirality: The left hand is a non-superposable mirror image of the right hand; no matter how
the two hands are oriented, it is impossible for all the major features of both hands to
coincide. This difference in symmetry becomes obvious if someone attempts to shake the
right hand of a person using his left hand, or if a left-handed glove is placed on a right hand.
The term chirality is derived from the Greek word for hand, χειρ (cheir). It is a mathematical
approach to the concept of "handedness".
(a) Plane of symmetry: It may be defined as a plane which divides a molecule in two
equal parts that are related to each other as an object and mirror image e.g.,
(b) Centre of symmetry : It may be defined as a point in the molecule through which if
a line is drawn in one direction and extended to equal distance in opposite direction, it meets
another similar group or atom, eg.
(a) Symmetric molecules : If any symmetry is present in the molecule then molecule
will be symmetric molecule.