Read the passage carefully and answer the Questions. Haloalkanes undergo nucelophilic substitution reactions owing to the polarity of C-X bond. The nucleophile reacts with the haloalkane on the carbon possessing a partial positive charge holding the halogen atom. The halogen atom X is replaced by a nucleophile. Depending on the kinetics and mode of bond breaking, the mechanism can be either $S_N1$ or $S_N2$ reaction. The rate of $S_N1$ reaction is governed by the stability of carbocation and in $S_N2$ reaction, the rate of reaction is governed by steric factor. Chirality is the main factor in both $S_N1$ and $S_N2$. In $S_N1$ reaction, the chirality of alkyl halide is accompanied by racemization of the product, while in $S_N2$ reaction, the product is characterized by inversion of configuration. The structure of alkyl halide and the nature of the solvent also governs the mechanism of the substitution. |
What is chiral carbon? |
Forms Superimposable mirror images Attached to four different atoms or groups Optically inactive Symmetrical carbon |
Attached to four different atoms or groups |
The correct answer is Option (2) → Attached to four different atoms or groups A chiral carbon is defined as: A carbon atom attached to four different atoms or groups Such a carbon shows optical activity and gives non-superimposable mirror images (enantiomers). |