Which Statement is True of a Carbon Atom That Is

Question

Which statement is true of a carbon atom that is a stereocenter?
A) It is bonded to two identical groups and two different groups by single bonds.
B) It has a double bond and two single bonds.
C) It is bonded to four different groups by single bonds.
D) It is bonded to two pairs of groups, with the groups of each pair being identical.

Accepted Answer

A stereocenter is a carbon atom that is bonded to four different groups by single bonds. This means that the molecule has a non-superimposable mirror image (i.e. it is chiral). Options A and D describe different types of isomers, but not stereocenters. Option B describes a carbon atom with a different geometry (a double bond instead of four single bonds) and is not a stereocenter.