To determine the number of chiral carbons in the given compound, we will follow these steps:
### Step 1: Draw the Structure of the Compound
The compound is given as:
\[ CH_3 - C(OH) - CH_2 - C(Br) - C(C_2H_5) - CH_3 \]
We can visualize it as follows:
- The first carbon (C1) is attached to a methyl group (CH3).
- The second carbon (C2) is attached to a hydroxyl group (OH).
- The third carbon (C3) is attached to a bromine atom (Br).
- The fourth carbon (C4) is attached to an ethyl group (C2H5).
- The fifth carbon (C5) is attached to another methyl group (CH3).
### Step 2: Identify Each Carbon Atom
Let’s label the carbon atoms in the compound:
1. C1: CH3
2. C2: C(OH)
3. C3: CH2 (attached to Br)
4. C4: C(C2H5)
5. C5: CH3
### Step 3: Determine Chirality
A carbon atom is considered chiral if it is bonded to four different groups. We will check each carbon:
- **C1 (CH3)**:
- Groups: CH3, H, H, H (not chiral, as it has three hydrogens)
- **C2 (C(OH))**:
- Groups: OH, CH3, H, and CH2 (chiral, as all four groups are different)
- **C3 (CH2)**:
- Groups: H, H, Br, and CH2 (not chiral, as it has two hydrogens)
- **C4 (C(C2H5))**:
- Groups: C2H5, H, CH2, and Br (chiral, as all four groups are different)
- **C5 (CH3)**:
- Groups: CH3, H, C2H5, and CH2 (not chiral, as it has two similar groups)
### Step 4: Count the Chiral Carbons
From the analysis:
- C2 is chiral.
- C4 is chiral.
- C1, C3, and C5 are not chiral.
Thus, the total number of chiral carbons in the compound is **2**.
### Conclusion
The final answer is that there are **2 chiral carbon centers** present in the molecule.
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