MolSynapsequestion bank
MolSynapse / Question bank / Stereoisomerism / Meso compounds and symmetry from structures
NEET levelSingle correct optionDifficulty 1 of 3st276

The compound shown is 2,3-dibromobutane drawn with a definite configuration at both carbons. Which statement about it is correct?

  1. AIt is a meso compound and is optically inactive
  2. BIt is chiral and rotates plane-polarised light
  3. CIt has no stereocentre
  4. DIt has only one stereocentre

Answer: A

The drawn stereoisomer is (2R,3S)-2,3-dibromobutane. Both C2 and C3 are stereocentres (each carries H, Br, and ), but the two halves of the molecule are mirror images of each other, so the molecule has an internal mirror plane (in the eclipsed conformation) and is superimposable on its mirror image. It is the meso form, which is achiral and optically inactive.
Practice Stereoisomerism More on Meso compounds and symmetry from structures

More questions on Meso compounds and symmetry from structures