Meso compounds and racemic mixtures
Isomerism and Stereochemistry · Chemistry
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Study notes
Tartaric acid HOOC–CH(OH)–CH(OH)–COOH: how many stereoisomers? Step 1: Two identical stereocentres → possible: (R,R), (S,S), (R,S). Step 2: (R,R) and (S,S) are enantiomers (chiral pair). Step 3: (R,S) has an internal mirror plane → meso, achiral. Step 4: Total 3 stereoisomers: one meso + one racemic pair. (R,S) = (S,R) — same meso form!