Circle all chiral centers in the molecule shown here?

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Answer 1 · 2016-12-01T01:15:52

Carbons 2 and 3 are chiral centres.

A chiral centre must be attached to 4 different groups.

Let's examine each carbon atom in your molecule: 2-amino-3,4-dihydroxybutanoic acid.

Carbon 1

Carbon 1 is not a chiral centre because it has only 3 groups attached.

Amino acid

Carbon 2

Carbon 2 is a chiral centre because it has 4 different groups attached.

They are #"N, C1, C3"#, and #"H"#.

Carbon 3

Carbon 3 is a chiral centre because it has 4 different groups attached.

They are #"O, C2, C4"#, and #"H"#.

Carbon 4

Carbon 4 is not a chiral centre because it has two identical groups (#"H"# atoms) attached.