Q39E

Question

What is the stereochemical configuration of the enantiomer of (2S,4R)-2,4-octanediol? (A diol is a compound with two -OH groups.)

Step-by-Step Solution

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Answer


1Step 1:Stereochemical configuration

Stereochemical configuration characterises a particular stereoisomer by the atoms or the groups of atoms.

Stereochemical configurations are of two types:

  • Absolute configuration- R, S system
  • Relative configuration D-L system
2Step 2: Stereochemical configuration of (2S,4R)-2,4-octanediol


The enantiomer of (2S,4R)-2,4-octanediol will be opposite in the configuration;that is, the 2S,4R configuration at the chiral centre will be changed to 2R,4S.

The 2S,4R configuration and 2R,4S configuration of 2,4 -octane diol are non-suoerimposible mirror images of each other due to a lack of symmetry in the molecule:

  • Lack of centre of symmetry
  • Lack of plane of symmetry

The Stereochemical configuration of (2S,4R)-2,4-octane diol is shown as follows:



Stereochemical configuration of (2S,4R)-2,4-octane diol