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Topic: Chirality of oxygen atom  (Read 1095 times)

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Offline Shreezy666

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Chirality of oxygen atom
« on: January 16, 2022, 12:27:22 PM »
Is it possible for an oxygen atom to be a chiral centre. Since chirality is based on the principle that an atom has four different electron densities around it and nitrogen can also be chiral, I was wondering if this is possible?

Offline Orcio_87

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Re: Chirality of oxygen atom
« Reply #1 on: January 16, 2022, 12:31:40 PM »
If protonated as in your molecule (CH3-CH2-OH+-CH3) then yes.

Offline Shreezy666

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Re: Chirality of oxygen atom
« Reply #2 on: January 16, 2022, 12:36:34 PM »
Thank you Orcio_87

Offline Orcio_87

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Re: Chirality of oxygen atom
« Reply #3 on: January 16, 2022, 12:44:35 PM »
@Shreezy666

If memory is correct similiar amines - CH3-CH2-NH-CH3 undergoes rapid inversion, so they are chiral in theory, but not in practice.

I mean - does this compound can be isolated in practice (as some form of a salt) is the other thing.

Offline Shreezy666

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Re: Chirality of oxygen atom
« Reply #4 on: January 16, 2022, 01:06:02 PM »
@Orcio_87

Curious about that myself

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