This property of a molecule is assigned “absolutely” by reacting with Pirkle’s alcohol or “relatively” by comparing it to glyceraldehyde (“gliss-er-AL-duh-hide”). Molecules that differ in this property bind differently to columns coated in cyclodextrins. Chemists assign prefixes to molecules with this property by mentally shifting their lowest-priority atoms into the page. Circular dichroism and polarimeters are used to assign the labels (*) R and S to the optically active molecules that have this property. Molecules with this property require a carbon to be bonded to four unique substituents. Components of racemic mixtures differ in this property. For 10 points, name this form of mirror-image isomerism often analogized to molecular “handedness.” ■END■
ANSWER: chirality [or chiral centers; accept absolute configuration or optical configuration or chiral configuration or relative configuration; accept enantiomerism or answers like being an enantiomer; accept optically active or optical activity until it is read; prompt on isomerism until it is read; prompt on stereoisomerism]
<Shahar Schwartz, Science - Chemistry> ~25529~ <Editor: Adam Silverman>
= Average correct buzz position