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JEE Advanced levelSingle correct optionDifficulty 3 of 3st248

The compound shown is one stereoisomer of tartaric acid (2,3-dihydroxybutanedioic acid) drawn with wedges. Its configuration is

  1. A
  2. B
  3. C
  4. D

Answer: A

At each stereocentre the priorities are ; wins over the other carbon because its carbon is attached to (O,O,O) against (O,C,H). Applying the sequence rule to the drawing with away from the viewer gives at C2 and at C3. Since both centres have the same descriptor and the halves are identical, this is the chiral enantiomer (natural (+)-tartaric acid), not the meso form.
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