Why is the 2nd Chiral Carbon of Cephalexin R?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Lo.Lee.Ta.
  • Start date Start date
Join the discussion
Registration is free. Start your own thread to ask a follow-up.
1 reply · 3K views
Lo.Lee.Ta.
Messages
217
Reaction score
0
chempage2_zps5f2047c7.jpg



Why is the 2nd chiral carbon of cephalexin molecule R? I thought the N has first priority, then the Carbon with the double bond to the O would be second (b/c has no H), and the Carbon bonded to the S would be third priority b/c it has a hydrogen, and of course, H is fourth... But then it would be S if that was the case... Why is it R?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Never mind. Well, not that anyone was going to answer anyway.

But the chiral carbon in question is bonded to an S and an N. S and N have a greater atomic weight than O. So the H doesn't matter.

The Carbon bonded to the S and N is second priority.