Chapter 23, Problem 23.53SP

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The chiral center(s) in the structure of naproxen, a chiral drug, whose one enantiomer is an effective treatment for inflammation, and the other, is a liver toxin is to be determined.

Concept introduction:

Optical activity is defined as the phenomena, in which the mirror image of any compound is non-superimposable on it, in this case, compound or substance is said to be chiral.

The point about which compound is non-superimposable on its mirror image is known as Chiral Centre.

For the atom to be chiral, it must be connected to four different atoms or groups of atoms.