A term describing the geometric property of a rigid object (or spatial arrangement of points or atoms) that is non-superimposable on its mirror image; such an object has no symmetry elements of the second kind (a mirror plane, a centre of inversion, a rotation reflection axis). If the object is superimposable on its mirror image the object is described as being achiral.
describes a molecule in a chiral configuation (symmetrical with its mirror image).
Geometric or topological property of a molecule or other structured object distinguishing it from its mirror image (i.e., "handedness").
the screw sense (handedness) of a helix. Its mirror image will have the opposite chirality.
The property of molecules that exist in two forms whose spatial configurations are mirror images of each other : Examples are L- and D-amino acids. ~ See Also: Amino acid, Protein.
The ability of a chemical substance to exist in two mirror-image forms, each of which rotates polarized light in opposite directions.
when the mirror image of a molecule is not able to superimpose on the original. This property becomes possible in an organic molecular system if the molecule contains one or more asymmetric carbon atoms (i.e. contains at least one C atom that is bonded to four different moieties). The opposite of a chiral molecule is an ACHIRAL molecule, which is superimposable on its mirror image.
a term which may be applied to any asymmetric object or molecule. The property of non-identity of an object with its mirror image.
In geometry, a figure is chiral (and said to have chirality) if it is not identical to its mirror image, or more particularly if it cannot be mapped to its mirror image by rotations and translations alone. A chiral object and its mirror image are said to be enantiomorphs. The word chirality is derived from the Greek Ï‡ÎµÎ¹Ï (cheir), the hand, the most familiar chiral object; the word enantiomorph stems from the Greek εναντιος (enantios) 'opposite' and μοÏφη (morphe) 'form'.
The term chiral (pronounced ) is used to describe an object which is non-superimposable on its mirror image. In terms of chemistry, these objects are usually molecules and the study of chiral molecules and associated phenomena is a very active area.
A phenomenon is said to be chiral if it is not identical to its mirror image (see Chirality). The spin of a particle may be used to define a handedness for that particle. A symmetry transformation between the two is called parity.