What is an achiral molecule?

1 Answer
anor277
Apr 30, 2016

A molecule that CAN be superimposed upon its mirror image.

Explanation:

A molecule that cannot be superimposed upon its mirror image is said to be #"CHIRAL"#. There are many such molecules in biochemistry, and (speaking very generally), this is the result of a particular carbon that is bound to 4 different substituents, #CR_1R_2R_3R_4#, i.e. a stereogenic carbon.

On the other hand, molecules that possess mirror symmetry are #"ACHIRAL"#, and here the molecule can be precisely superimposed (i.e. overlaid) on its mirror image.

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