Chapter 7.2, Problem 7.40P

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

All the stereocenters has to be identified and the configuration has to be determined for the compound given.

Concept Introduction:

If a molecule contains a carbon atom that is bonded to four different groups, then that carbon is said to be chiral carbon and the carbon center responsible for this chirality is known as stereocenter.  Stereocenter are located in a compound by looking into the atoms or groups that is attached to the carbon atoms.  An example of a compound having chiral center is shown below,

The stereocenter can have either R or S configuration.  This can be identified by numbering the groups from 1 to 4 that is attached to the stereocenter.  If the stereocenter has the same type of atoms attached to it, then the next atoms are considered.  The way in which the numbering was given is based only on the atomic number.

If the numbering goes clockwise, then the configuration will be “R” and if the numbering of the groups goes counterclockwise, then the configuration will be “S”.  This can be represented as shown below,

The first and foremost condition is that the group with the least priority has to point away from us.  If the group with least priority is not pointing away from us, then the group has to be switched in a way that the least priority group points away.  By doing this the configuration of the stereocenter changes.  After the switching is done and the group with least priority is pointing away from us, another switching has to be done with other groups so that the original configuration of the stereocenter is obtained.