Fundamentals of Organic ChemistryChemistryGeneral Organic Chemistry
Which of the following statements is true regarding the given structure?
Options
- AIt is a chiral molecule.
- BBoth of these statements are true.
- CNeither of these statements is true.
- DIt exists in two resolvable optically active forms.
Correct answer
C. Neither of these statements is true.
Step-by-step solution
The given structure is a tertiary amine, where the central nitrogen atom is bonded to three different alkyl groups ( -CH₃ , -C₂H₅ , -C₃H₇ ) and possesses a lone pair of electrons. Although the nitrogen atom acts as a stereocenter due to the presence of four different electron domains, acyclic tertiary amines undergo extremely rapid pyramidal inversion (umbrella inversion) at room temperature. Because the energy barrier for this nitrogen inversion is very low, the molecule rapidly flips between its two enantiomeric