Question

a) Do the following compounds have any asymmetric centers?

b) Are the compounds chiral? (Hint: Make models.)

1. CH₂=C=CH₂
2. CH₃CH=C=CHCH₃

Short answer

1. The compound doesn’t have asymmetric centre.
2. 1. It is not chiral.

2. It is chiral even though it doesn’t have any asymmetric centre:

Step-by-step solution

What is asymmetric centre or chiral carbon

Chiral objects are those objects which have no same mirror images. The mirror images don’t superimpose each other. whose mirror images superimpose each other that compounds are called achiral objects.

Chiral carbon is that carbon atom which is bonded to four different groups.

Final answer

1. The compound doesn’t have asymmetric centre. Extreme carbon atoms have same hydrogen atoms and between carbon atom has two groups same which are bonded with double bond.
2. 1. It is not chiral.

2. It is chiral even though it doesn’t have any asymmetric centre. It has unusual geometry and it cannot be superimposed on its mirror images.