Book says threonine has chiral center in its sidechain? How?

So threonine and isoleucine both have a chiral carbon in their sidechain, which means they have an asymmetric center and can exist in two different forms. In summary, threonine and isoleucine have a chiral carbon in their sidechain, meaning they have an asymmetric center and can exist in two different forms. This is determined by the presence of different substituents attached to the carbon in the sidechain, rather than the atoms themselves.
  • #1
ppppparker
18
4
Text says that threonine and isoleucine have a chiral carbon in sidechain. I am not seeing it.

The carbon in the sidechain that is next to the alpha carbon is attached to an oxygen, a hydrogen, a carbon (a methyl group) and the alpha carbon. So that means its attached to two carbons, so therefore it doesn't have 4 different substituents attached so therefore its not chiral.
Its probably something to do with me not grasping definition of chiral I am geussing, ..
do you consider the atoms attached or is it the substituents that must be different for chirality? For example, would CH and a CH2 be considered two different substits?
thanks
 
Chemistry news on Phys.org
  • #2
The substituents must be different, so the methyl group and alpha carbon count as two different substituents.
 

1. What is a chiral center?

A chiral center is a carbon atom that is bonded to four different groups. This creates a molecule that is non-superimposable on its mirror image, meaning it exists in two different forms that are not identical.

2. What is threonine?

Threonine is an essential amino acid that is found in many proteins and is necessary for various biological processes in the body.

3. How does a chiral center form in threonine's sidechain?

The chiral center in threonine's sidechain is formed by the presence of four different groups attached to the carbon atom: a hydrogen atom, a carboxyl group, an amino group, and a hydroxyl group.

4. Why is the chiral center in threonine's sidechain important?

The chiral center in threonine's sidechain is important because it gives the molecule its unique shape and properties, allowing it to interact with other molecules in specific ways. This is crucial for its role in protein synthesis and other biological processes.

5. How is the presence of a chiral center in threonine's sidechain determined?

The presence of a chiral center in threonine's sidechain can be determined by examining its molecular structure and identifying the four different groups attached to the carbon atom. Additionally, laboratory techniques such as X-ray crystallography can also be used to confirm the presence of a chiral center.

Similar threads

What is the exact definition of an octahedral hole in an ionic solid?
    • Chemistry
Replies
2
Views
848
Oxidation state and chiral configurations
    • Biology and Chemistry Homework Help
Replies
4
Views
2K
Aromaticity of 1-methyl-1H-pyridin-2-one?
    • Chemistry
Replies
8
Views
6K
Engineering Calculating shear center for a "skewed" I beam
    • Engineering and Comp Sci Homework Help
Replies
1
Views
785
I Condition for centering starlight in a water filled telescope (Airy's experiment to reveal the motion of the Earth through the Ether)
    • Special and General Relativity
Replies
6
Views
1K
I How to understand experiment to measure heat capacity of solid?
    • Classical Physics
Replies
1
Views
617
3-methylheptane draw the structure
    • Biology and Chemistry Homework Help
Replies
1
Views
6K
Proton NMR (Enantiomer vs. Diastereomer)
    • Biology and Chemistry Homework Help
Replies
2
Views
18K
I Work in hydrostatic system in cylinder with piston: P_int or P_ext?
    • Classical Physics
Replies
5
Views
583
I Potential energy and the gravitational field of a collapsing cloud of gas
    • Special and General Relativity
Replies
1
Views
254

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top