Axial chirality

Axial chirality is a special case of chirality in which a molecule does not possess a stereogenic center (the most common form of chirality in organic compounds) but an axis of chirality – an axis about which a set of substituents is held in a spatial arrangement that is not superposable on its mirror image. Axial chirality is most commonly observed in atropisomeric biaryl compounds wherein the rotation about the aryl-aryl bond is restricted, for example, biphenyl, binaphthyls, e.g., 1,1'-bi-2-naphthol, and certain dihydroanthracenone compounds.^[1] Certain allene compounds also display axial chirality. The enantiomers of axially chiral compounds are usually given the stereochemical labels R_a and S_a.^[2] The designations are based on the same Cahn-Ingold-Prelog priority rules used for tetrahedral stereocenters. The chiral axis is viewed end-on and the two "near" and two "far" substituents on the axial unit are ranked.

R and S configurations are determined by precedences of the groups attached to the axial section of the molecule when viewed along that axis.

This property can also be called helicity, since the axis of the structure has a helical, propeller, or screw-shaped geometry. P (plus) or Δ is a right-handed helix, where M (minus) or Λ is a left-handed helix.^[3]^[4] The P/M or Δ/Λ terminology is used particularly for molecules that actually resemble a helix, such as hexahelicene. It can also be applied to other structures having axial chirality by considering the helical orientation of the "front" vs "back" Cahn–Ingold–Prelog rankings.

P helicity

M helicity

Configurations of heptahelicene

External links

Axial Chirality in 6,6'-Dinitrobiphenyl-2,2'-dicarboxylic acid 3D representation.

References

↑ Absolute stereochemistry of fungal metabolites: Icterinoidins A1 and B1, and atrovirins B1 and B2 Melvyn Gill and Peter M. Morgan Arkivoc (RI-1154C)2004 Online article
↑ Compendium of Chemical Terminology, axial chirality
↑ Compendium of Chemical Terminology, helicity
↑ VLU: Additional Chirality Elements - Chemgapedia

Concepts in asymmetric synthesis

Chirality types	Chirality Stereocenter Planar chirality Chiral ligand Axial chirality Supramolecular chirality Inherent chirality

Chiral molecules	Stereoisomer Enantiomer Diastereomer meso compound racemic mixture Enantiomeric excess (ee) Diastereomeric excess (de)

Analysis	Optical rotation Chiral derivatizing agents NMR spectroscopy of stereoisomers Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy of stereoisomers

Chiral resolution	Recrystallization Kinetic resolution Chiral column chromatography Diastereomeric recrystallization

Reactions	Asymmetric induction Chiral pool synthesis Chiral auxiliaries Asymmetric catalysis Organocatalysis Biocatalysis

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