Number of Asymmetric carbons

[manamman]

---

Members do not see this ad.

This is a Barron's question. It reads:
What is the number of asymmetric or chiral carbons in the molecule below?

........CHO
HO - C - H
H.. - C - H
HO - C - H
HO - C - H
.......CH2OH

The solution says it's 4. But I think it's 3 (because carbon #3 is not chiral)
Any ideas?

 

[indigenoustw]

From what you have written, I agree with you. I think it's three.

But don't you think it's a little weird to have a carbon without any hydroxyl groups attached? At least I do. I think it's a typo on their part.

 

[manamman]

From what you have written, I agree with you. I think it's three.

But don't you think it's a little weird to have a carbon without any hydroxyl groups attached? At least I do. I think it's a typo on their part.

All I can say is I hate Barron's with a passion

 

[KyoPhan]

Also believe it's 3.

 

[radmazindds]

C1 is sp2 hybridized, can't be chiral.
C2, four diff groups = chiral #1
C3, not chiral
C4, four diff groups = chiral #2
C5, four diff groups = chiral #3
C6, not chiral.

correctamundo, my friend. only three chiral carbons.

This is a Barron's question. It reads:
What is the number of asymmetric or chiral carbons in the molecule below?

........CHO
HO - C - H
H.. - C - H
HO - C - H
HO - C - H
.......CH2OH

The solution says it's 4. But I think it's 3 (because carbon #3 is not chiral)
Any ideas?