Chapter 5, Problem 5.58P

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

Out of all molecules drawn in Problem 5.48, the optically active molecules are to be determined.

Concept introduction:

Stereoisomers which differ in their spatial arrangement of atoms and which are non-superimposable on their mirror image are called chiral molecules. The asymmetric center in the molecule is called the chiral center.

The maximum number of configurational isomers that can exist for a given molecule is calculated by the formula ${\text{2}}^{\text{n}}$, where n is the number of chiral centers in the molecule. A molecule is meso if it contains at least two chiral centers but has a plane of symmetry that makes it achiral. Achiral compounds are optically inactive.