Mark the chiral centers in the following molecules, if any, with an asterisk (*):
(d)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the concept of a chiral center. A chiral center (or stereocenter) is a carbon atom that is bonded to four different groups or atoms. This asymmetry makes the molecule non-superimposable on its mirror image.
2. Step 2: Examine the structure of the molecule provided (Ritalin®). Identify all carbon atoms in the molecule and analyze the groups or atoms attached to each carbon.
3. Step 3: For each carbon atom, check if it is bonded to four different groups. If a carbon atom meets this criterion, it is a chiral center and should be marked with an asterisk (*).
4. Step 4: Pay special attention to any carbon atoms that are part of rings or double bonds, as these cannot be chiral centers. A chiral center must have four single bonds to different groups.
5. Step 5: Once all chiral centers are identified, mark them clearly on the molecular structure with an asterisk (*). Ensure that the marked chiral centers are consistent with the definition of chirality.

Key Concepts

Chirality

Chirality refers to the geometric property of a molecule that makes it non-superimposable on its mirror image. A chiral molecule typically has at least one carbon atom bonded to four different substituents, creating two distinct forms known as enantiomers. This property is crucial in fields like pharmacology, as different enantiomers can have vastly different biological effects.

Chiral Centers

A chiral center, often a carbon atom, is a point in a molecule where the arrangement of atoms leads to chirality. Identifying chiral centers is essential for understanding the stereochemistry of a compound. In practice, these centers are marked with an asterisk (*) to indicate their significance in determining the molecule's optical activity and potential interactions in biological systems.

Stereochemistry

Stereochemistry is the branch of chemistry that deals with the spatial arrangement of atoms in molecules and how this affects their chemical behavior. It encompasses concepts like chirality and the configuration of chiral centers. Understanding stereochemistry is vital for predicting the reactivity and properties of molecules, especially in the context of drug design and synthesis.