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  4. How many chiral carbon atoms are present in 2, 3, 4 - Trichloropentane?

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Q. How many chiral carbon atoms are present in $2, 3, 4$ - Trichloropentane?

Uttarkhand PMTUttarkhand PMT 2010

Solution:

Above is the structure of $2,3,4$ - trichloropentane. Numbering can be done from any side because it does not make any difference.
Chiral carbon is a carbon atom that is attached to four different types of atoms or groups of atoms. Hence, $C-1$ and $C-5$ can't be chiral as they are connected to $3$ hydrogen atoms. $C-3$ is attached to two same groups on both sides, so it is also not a chiral carbon. $C-2$ and $C-4$ are connected to $4$ different groups, hence both are chiral carbon.
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