(R)-2-Chloro-2-methylsuccinic Acid (C₅H₇ClO₄) - R or S Configuration

Chiral Center Analysis

(R)-2-Chloro-2-methylsuccinic Acid (C₅H₇ClO₄) contains 1 chiral center. Quaternary stereocenter with no hydrogen. Tests -COOH vs -CH₂COOH depth comparison - both contain COOH but one is one carbon removed. Cl wins outright at first atom.. Each chiral center is analyzed below using CIP (Cahn-Ingold-Prelog) priority rules to determine R or S configuration.

CIP Priority Assignment

The four substituents on the chiral center are ranked by atomic number of the directly attached atom, with ties broken by exploring outward along each branch.

• Priority 1: Cl - Chlorine (Z=17) directly bonded - highest atomic number
• Priority 2: -COOH - C at 1st → {O, O, O} at 2nd (double bond phantom) - oxygens at second level
• Priority 3: -CH₂COOH - C at 1st → {C, H, H} at 2nd - COOH is at 3rd level, too deep to beat -COOH at 2nd
• Priority 4: -CH₃ - Methyl: C → {H, H, H} - LOWEST (no hydrogen on chiral center!)

R/S Configuration

With the lowest priority group (priority 4) oriented away from the viewer, the remaining three substituents trace a clockwise path from priority 1 to 2 to 3. This gives the R configuration.

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