Why is butanone achiral? Organic Chemistry Stereochemistry (R and S), Isomers, and Optical Activity Chiral and Achiral Molecules 1 Answer anor277 Mar 9, 2016 Because it has no stereogenic carbon centres. Explanation: Butanone, #H_3C-CH_2C(=O)CH_3#, has no chiral centres, and its mirror image is superposable on the original. A chiral carbon has 4 different substituents; this is a necessary (but not sufficient) condition for chirality. Answer link Related questions How can I identify chiral and achiral molecules? What are chiral and achiral molecules? Why is the study of chiral molecules important in biochemistry? Which of the following has an achiral stereoisomer: 2,3-dichlorobutane; 2,3-dichloropentane;... How can I draw all the isomers with molecular formula #C_6H_12# ? (that contain a cyclobutane... How can I draw a chiral isomer of 1,2-dibromocyclobutane? Why do chiral molecules rotate polarized light? Why are chiral molecules optically active? Why are amino acids chiral? How can I draw the structures of all the geometric isomers of #[Ru(H_2O)_2(NH_3)_2Cl_2]^+# .... See all questions in Chiral and Achiral Molecules Impact of this question 5491 views around the world You can reuse this answer Creative Commons License