Why is 4-Ethyl-1,1-Dimethylcyclohexane Achiral

Question

Why is 4-ethyl-1,1-dimethylcyclohexane achiral?
A) because it has nonsuperimposable mirror images
B) because it has more than one stereocenter
C) because all ring carbon atoms are bonded to two identical groups
D) because all ring carbon atoms are bonded to four different groups

Accepted Answer

A molecule is chiral if it lacks a plane of symmetry or a center of symmetry. In this case, all the ring carbon atoms are bonded to two identical groups, minimizing any potential for asymmetry. Therefore, the molecule is achiral.