JEE Main levelSingle correct optionDifficulty 2 of 3st068
How many stereoisomers does 1,3-dimethylcyclopentane have? Treat the ring as planar for the purpose of counting.
A1
B2
C4
D3
Answer: D
There are two stereocentres, C1 and C3, which are equivalent by symmetry. The cis isomer has a mirror plane and is meso. The trans isomer is chiral and exists as an enantiomeric pair, so the total is 3.