Question 23.3: Identifying Chiral Molecules Amphetamine is a potent stimula...
Identifying Chiral Molecules
Amphetamine is a potent stimulant of the central nervous system and has been used in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Is amphetamine chiral? If so, identify any chiral centers.
STRATEGY
Chiral centers are atoms with tetrahedral molecular geometry and four different substituent groups.

The blue check mark means that this solution has been answered and checked by an expert. This guarantees that the final answer is accurate.
Learn more on how we answer questions.
Learn more on how we answer questions.
It may be useful to translate the line drawing into an electrondot structure until you are more familiar with visualizing bonds to hydrogen atoms in line drawings. The electron-dot structure shows that there is one tetrahedral carbon atom with 4 different substituent groups. Therefore, amphetamine is a chiral molecule.
Related Answered Questions
Question: 23.10
Verified Answer:
Vitamin A has 10 carbon atoms in one π system. We ...
Question: 23.11
Verified Answer:
The electron-dot structure shows a π bond between ...
Question: 23.12
Verified Answer:
Question: 23.13
Verified Answer:
The side chain in histidine has a five-member ring...
Question: 23.5
Verified Answer:
The electron-dot structure for methanol is:
The c...
Question: 23.6
Verified Answer:
To make the C=C double bond, overlap one sp² hybri...
Question: 23.7
Verified Answer:
(a) Cis–trans isomers exist because the Br atoms c...
Question: 23.9
Verified Answer:
(a) The resonance structure on the left is preferr...
Question: 23.4
Verified Answer:
Step 1. Draw the skeletal structure showing connec...