Chapter 5.5, Problem 20ATS

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

All possible stereomisomers for the given $\left(\text{-}\right)\text{-lariciresinol}$ has to be drawn and each isomers should be identified as either an enantiomer or a diasteromer of the natural product.

Concept Introduction:

Chiral center: A chiral center is defined as the tetrahedral carbon atom in an organic molecule that is connected to four non-identical groups/substituents. It is sometimes known as a stereo genic center.

$\begin{array}{l}Totalnumberofstereoisomers=2^n\\ "n"isthenumberofchiralcarbons\end{array}$

The stereoisomerism is the arrangement of atoms in molecules whose connectivity remains the same but their arrangement in different in each isomer.

The two molecules are described as stereoisomers if they are made of the same atoms connected in the same sequence, but the atoms are positions differently in space.

Enantiomers: These are stereoisomers that are not superimposable mirror images of each other and the configurations at all stereo genic centers are exactly opposite.

Diastereomers: These are stereoisomers that are not enantiomers of one another. They have different physical properties so that they are viewed as different chemical substances.

Meso compounds are molecules with multiple stereocenters that are superimposable on its mirror image. Meso compounds are achiral compounds and optically inactive.