What is a chiral center in a molecule?

A chiral center, often referred to as a chiral carbon, is specifically defined as an atom bonded to four different groups. This unique arrangement leads to the existence of two non-superimposable mirror images of the molecule, known as enantiomers. The presence of a chiral center is fundamental in organic chemistry, as it gives rise to optical isomerism, significantly impacting the behavior of molecules, particularly in biological systems where chirality can influence the mechanism of action in drugs and other substances.

The characteristic of having four different groups attached ensures that the spatial arrangement of atoms around the chiral center creates a lack of symmetry, resulting in the two distinct orientations that cannot be aligned with each other. Understanding chiral centers is essential for grasping concepts related to stereochemistry and molecular interactions.