On chiral space groups and chiral molecules
摘要
ABSTRACT This note explains the relationship (as well as the absence of a relationship) between chiral space groups and chiral molecules (which have absolute configurations). For a chiral molecule, which must crystallize in a chiral space group, the outcome of the absolute configuration determination must be linked to some other properties of the chiral crystal such as its optical activity for the observation to the relevant. As chemical nomenclature was originally developed for compounds in the solution state, there is some confusion in the proper use of the term ‘chiral ’ for describing certain crystal structures. This has led to a number of compounds being incorrectly categorized as being chiral although they belong to centrosymmetric space groups or those having mirror planes. A chiral compound that separates from solution as a crystalline material must necessarily pack in a motif such that other