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Does 3-chlorohexane contain a chiral center

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Final answer:

3-chlorohexane contains a chiral center at the third carbon, as it is bonded to four different groups, fulfilling the criteria for chirality.

Step-by-step explanation:

Whether 3-chlorohexane contains a chiral center can be determined by examining its chemical structure. A chiral center, also known as a stereocenter, is a carbon atom that is bonded to four different groups. For a molecule to have a chiral center, it must not be superimposable on its mirror image.

In the case of 3-chlorohexane, the molecule has a carbon chain with six carbon atoms (hexane) and a chlorine atom substituting a hydrogen atom on the third carbon. To assess if this third carbon is a chiral center, let's consider the four substituents attached to it: the two parts of the carbon chain (one with two carbons and the other with three), a hydrogen atom, and a chlorine atom. Since these four groups are different from each other, the third carbon in 3-chlorohexane does represent a chiral center.

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