Can a compound be optically active without having chiral Centre?

Optically activity in the absence of a chiral carbon/ sterecentre: There are many cases where the Chirality is not because of the presence of one or more chiral centers, but it is because of the presence of other elements of Chirality.

Do Atropisomers have chiral center?

Atropisomers exhibit axial chirality (planar chirality). When the barrier to racemization is high, as illustrated by the BINAP ligands, the phenomenon becomes of practical value in asymmetric synthesis.

How can a molecule be chiral without a chiral center?

A molecule can have multiple chiral centers without being chiral overall: It is then called a meso compound. This occurs if there is a symmetry element (a mirror plane or inversion center) which relates the chiral centers.

What makes a compound optically active?

The compounds which are capable of optical rotation are said to be optically active compounds. All the chiral compounds are optically active. The chiral compound contains an asymmetric center where the carbon is attached with four different atoms or groups. It forms two non-superimposable mirror images.

What is the necessary condition for a compound to be optically active?

The compound must contain an asymmetrical carbon atom. The molecule must contain a chiral axis. The molecule must possess a chiral plane.

What is a atropisomers in chemistry?

In organic chemistry, atropisomers are stereoisomers that result from a hindrance of bond rotation about single bonds due to steric strain, making the isolation of the individual isomers possible.

What are structural features of biphenyl atropisomers?

The biphenyl molecule consists of two connected phenyl rings. Biphenyl’s ortho positions are substituted with two different bulky groups makes it chiral and resolvable due restricted rotation through pivotal bond.

Why only chiral compounds are optically active?

Because chiral molecules are able to rotate the plane of polarization differently by interacting with the electric field differently, they are said to be optically active. In general molecules that rotate light in differen directions are called optical isomers.

Why are chiral compounds optically active?

Why is chiral optically active?

What are atropisomers and how do they work?

In organic chemistry, atropisomers are stereoisomers that result from a hindrance of bond rotation about single bonds due to steric strain, making the isolation of the individual isomers possible. It’s kind of like someone being in your personal space bubble. When that happens your natural reaction is to back away, right?

Can a molecule be optically active without a chiral center?

You must remember, however, that the condition for a molecule to be optically active is that it has an isomer that is a non-superimposable mirror image. A chiral center is an easy way to accomplish this, but it is not the only way. One clear example of chiral molecules that feature no chiral center is BINOL:

What are the consequences of atropisomerism?

The main consequence of atropisomerism is that molecules become chiral, meaning that they make a mirror image, but it is non-superimposable on itself. Your hands are chiral in the sense that they are mirror images of one another, but they can’t be superimposed on each other.

What is the steric strain for atropisomers?

For atropisomers, the steric strain is so much that the molecules are stuck or locked into one specific conformation and they don’t actually rotate at all. Atropisomerism results in chiral molecules, which are molecules whose mirror images are non-superimposable on each other.