Chirality Without Chiral Centers

Below in JMol windows are four examples of molecules that are chiral without having a center of chirality. They are:

Notice in each case that the molecule is effectively twisted on its long axis. The twist is what makes it chiral, by eliminating any plane of symmetry.

Dimethylallene Dichlorospiroheptane
Dibromobiphenyl trans-Cyclooctene

The IUPAC rules for designating absolute configuration include rules that apply to compounds like these. You are not responsible for these, but if you're curious, you can check those rules HERE.


This page last modified 11:45 AM on Thursday September 24th, 2009.
Webmaster, Department of Chemistry, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469