Chirality

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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).

sticks rotate
mirror image

The chiral fullerene C76(D2) - chiral molecular carbon! - likewise does not contain a center, axis or plane of chirality.

rotate
mirror image

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).







 
 
  (c) Lehrstuhl für Mathematik II Universität Bayreuth