Question

The number of chiral carbons in strychnine is ______. 

Hint:

Always identify chiral carbons by checking for four distinct groups — no double bonds and no plane of symmetry.

Answer 1

Correct Answer: 6

Step 1: Identify chiral centers.
A chiral carbon is one that has four different substituents and lacks a plane of symmetry.
Step 2: Analyze strychnine structure.
Strychnine has several bridgehead and substituted carbons.
Upon detailed inspection of its 7-ring fused heterocyclic skeleton:
- Carbons at positions 2, 3, 8, 14, 16, and 20 are chiral.

Step 3: Conclusion.
\[ \boxed{\text{Number of chiral carbons} = 6} \]