Plane of symmetry

Definition

A plane of symmetry in a molecule is an imaginary plane that divides the molecule into two mirror-image halves. This concept is crucial in determining the chirality of molecules, as chiral molecules lack this plane of symmetry due to their non-superimposable mirror images.

Related terms

Chirality: Chirality refers to the geometric property of a molecule having a non-superimposable mirror image, making it asymmetric.

Enantiomers: Enantiomers are pairs of molecules that are non-superimposable mirror images of each other, much like left and right hands.

Stereocenter: A stereocenter is an atom in a molecule that is connected to four different substituents, giving rise to stereoisomers with different spatial orientations