symmetry and chirality

[thebillsfan]

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Is it possible for a chiral atom to also be symmetrical?
In other words, if I see that an atom is symmetrical do I not need to check to see whether it is bonded to four different substituents?

 

[RogueUnicorn]

no, symmetry by definition destroys chirality

let's not forget, however, that a symmetrical molecule may have multiple chiral centers, rendering it a meso compound.

 

[thebillsfan]

no, symmetry by definition destroys chirality

let's not forget, however, that a symmetrical molecule may have multiple chiral centers, rendering it a meso compound.

right. i think the question gave a very symmetric molecule but asked how may chiral carbons there were. there were a LOT of carbons, however, and it wouldve taken me a long time to go through all of them. after looking at a few i concluded that there were no chiral carbons, but is there a more legitimate (less "guess and check" but not as time consuming as a full check of each individual carbon) way of doing this problem?

 

[RogueUnicorn]

hmm not really, but if they gave you a long hydrocarbon or ring system, just cross off anything with 2 Hs and start from there