How many asymmetric centers are present in the compound below? (CH3NH2) OH CH3CH=CH2
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The compound you’ve provided is CH3NH2 (methylamine) OH (hydroxyl group) CH3CH=CH2 (propene).
Let’s break this down:
- Methylamine (CH3NH2):
- This part consists of a methyl group (CH3) attached to an amine group (NH2). The nitrogen atom is bonded to two hydrogen atoms and a methyl group, making the nitrogen atom not an asymmetric center, as it has two identical substituents (hydrogen atoms). Therefore, there are no chiral centers here.
- Hydroxyl group (OH):
- The hydroxyl group is just an -OH group, typically attached to a carbon atom, but it doesn’t affect chirality on its own because it’s not connected to a chiral carbon. So, no chiral center here either.
- Propene (CH3CH=CH2):
- Propene has a double bond between the second and third carbons, which means there are no chiral centers in this part of the compound because a double bond prevents the formation of chirality (as the two carbons involved in the double bond cannot both be chiral centers).
Conclusion:
There are no asymmetric (chiral) centers in this compound. A chiral center is a carbon atom that is attached to four different groups. Since none of the carbons in this structure are attached to four different groups, there are no asymmetric centers.
This compound doesn’t contain any chiral centers, and thus, it is achiral.
