The existence of meso objects and meso compounds
demonstrates that presence of elements of chirality is not
sufficient for chirality.
The presence of an element of chirality likewise is not
necessary for molecular chirality, as shown by the chirality
of hexahelicene (no center, no axis, no plane of chirality).
The chiral fullerene C76(D2)
- chiral molecular carbon! - likewise does not contain a
center, axis or plane of chirality.
The double bonds were left out, as is usual for fullerenes.
Convince yourself that the molecule does not contain a mirror
plane, center of inversion, or S4.
As an exercise try to find the three mutually perpendicular
twofold rotational axes in C76(D2).
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