What is the Difference Between Chiral and Achiral?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between chiral and achiral molecules lies in their symmetry and mirror images.
Chiral molecules:
- Are non-superimposable mirror images of each other.
- Can be classified as "right-handed" or "left-handed" based on their absolute configuration.
- Exist in two stereoisomers, which are non-superimposable mirror images of each other, known as enantiomers.
- Have identical chemical properties unless reacting with another chiral molecule.
- Have comparable physical properties.
Achiral molecules:
- Are superimposable mirror images of each other.
- Do not have "handedness".
- Cannot be classified as "right-handed" or "left-handed".
In summary, chiral molecules are asymmetric and have distinct mirror images, while achiral molecules are symmetric and can be superimposed on their mirror images. Chiral molecules exist in two enantiomeric forms, while achiral molecules do not.
Comparative Table: Chiral vs Achiral
The main difference between chiral and achiral molecules lies in their ability to be superimposed on their mirror images. Here is a comparison table highlighting the differences between chiral and achiral molecules:
Feature | Chiral Molecules | Achiral Molecules |
---|---|---|
Definition | Chiral molecules are non-superimposable on their mirror images, meaning they have a unique "handedness". | Achiral molecules are superimposable on their mirror images, meaning they do not have a unique "handedness". |
Stereochemistry | Chiral molecules have an asymmetric distribution of atoms, making them non-superimposable on their mirror images. | Achiral molecules have a symmetric distribution of atoms, allowing them to be superimposable on their mirror images. |
Examples | Examples of chiral molecules include amino acids, sugars, and certain proteins. | Examples of achiral molecules include simple molecules like CO2 and linear molecules like H2O2. |
In summary, chiral molecules have a unique "handedness" and cannot be superimposed on their mirror images, while achiral molecules can be superimposed on their mirror images and do not have a unique "handedness."
- Achiral vs Meso
- Chirality vs Helicity
- Diastereomers vs Enantiomers
- Prochirality vs Prostereoisomerism
- Anomeric Carbon vs Chiral Carbon
- Dichroism vs Birefringence
- Enantiotopic vs Diastereotopic
- Cis vs Trans Isomers
- Structural Isomers vs Stereoisomers
- Chain Isomerism vs Position Isomerism
- Choline vs Acetylcholine
- Auxochrome vs Chromophore
- Constitutional Isomers vs Stereoisomers
- Aliphatic vs Aromatic Amino Acids
- Dextrorotatory vs Levorotatory
- Achromatic vs Monochromatic
- Aromatic vs Aliphatic
- Alpha vs Beta Anomers
- Isotopes vs Isomers