Question

The number of stereoisomers possible for h3cch(oh)ch(oh)ch3 is:

Answer 1

Explanation:

In this compound there are 4 optical isomers; this is calculated by multiplying the number of chiral centres by two.

Answer 2

hey....In this compound there are 4 optical isomers; this is calculated by multiplying the number of chiral centres by two.

Explanation:

The number of optical isomers in a compound is determined by the number of chiral centres in it. A chiral centre is a carbon atom that is bonded to four different molecules or atoms. Each chiral centre will result in two different optical isomers.

So, to work out the number of chiral centres, draw out the displayed formula of the compound, and circle/highlight any carbons in the compound that have four different molecules attached to them (to check this, try drawing the molecule as a tetrahedral shape around your chosen chiral centre; each bond from the central C atom should go to a unique compound). Then, just multiply the number of chiral centres by two to give the number of optical isomers.