Prochiral

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In chemistry, prochiral molecules can be converted from achiral to chiral in a single step.^[1]

If two identical substituents are attached to an sp³-hybridized atom, the descriptors pro-R and pro-S are used to distinguish between the two. Replacing the pro-R substituent results in an R chirality center at the original sp³-hybridized atom, and vice versa.

A trigonal planar sp²-hybridized atom can be converted to a chirality center when a substituent is added to the re or si face of the molecule.

[edit] See also

• Stereochemistry
• Cahn-Ingold-Prelog priority rules

[edit] External links

• IUPAC "Gold Book" definition

[edit] References

1. ^ John McMurry. Organic Chemistry, 6ed, Brooks/Cole, 301-303.