Chemistry
Chemistry
10th Edition
ISBN: 9781305957404
Author: Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan A. Zumdahl, Donald J. DeCoste
Publisher: Cengage Learning
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Can you help explain finding the stereoisomers for this?
**Title: Understanding Stereoisomerism in Organic Compounds**

**Content:**

The image presents a structural formula of an organic compound and poses a question regarding stereoisomers. The compound is as follows:

- CH₂—CH—CH—CH₃
- On the second carbon, there is an OH (hydroxyl) group attached.
- On the third carbon, there is an OH (hydroxyl) group and a Br (bromine) atom attached on opposite sides.
- On the fourth carbon, there is a Cl (chlorine) atom attached.

**Main Text:**

The question posed is: "How many stereoisomers are possible in this compound?"

**Explanation:**

This compound exhibits potential for stereoisomerism due to the presence of chiral centers. A chiral center, often a carbon atom, is bonded to four different substituents, allowing for different spatial arrangements (stereochemistry). The presence of two chiral centers in this compound can lead to multiple stereoisomers.

The number of possible stereoisomers is given by the formula \(2^n\), where \(n\) is the number of chiral centers. In this instance, there are two chiral centers, therefore:

\[ \text{Number of stereoisomers} = 2^2 = 4 \]

These stereoisomers include different configurations such as enantiomers (mirror images) and diastereomers (non-mirror image stereoisomers). Understanding and identifying these isomers is crucial in fields such as medicinal chemistry, where the configuration of molecules can significantly impact biological function and activity.
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Transcribed Image Text:**Title: Understanding Stereoisomerism in Organic Compounds** **Content:** The image presents a structural formula of an organic compound and poses a question regarding stereoisomers. The compound is as follows: - CH₂—CH—CH—CH₃ - On the second carbon, there is an OH (hydroxyl) group attached. - On the third carbon, there is an OH (hydroxyl) group and a Br (bromine) atom attached on opposite sides. - On the fourth carbon, there is a Cl (chlorine) atom attached. **Main Text:** The question posed is: "How many stereoisomers are possible in this compound?" **Explanation:** This compound exhibits potential for stereoisomerism due to the presence of chiral centers. A chiral center, often a carbon atom, is bonded to four different substituents, allowing for different spatial arrangements (stereochemistry). The presence of two chiral centers in this compound can lead to multiple stereoisomers. The number of possible stereoisomers is given by the formula \(2^n\), where \(n\) is the number of chiral centers. In this instance, there are two chiral centers, therefore: \[ \text{Number of stereoisomers} = 2^2 = 4 \] These stereoisomers include different configurations such as enantiomers (mirror images) and diastereomers (non-mirror image stereoisomers). Understanding and identifying these isomers is crucial in fields such as medicinal chemistry, where the configuration of molecules can significantly impact biological function and activity.
Expert Solution
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Step 1

Number of chiral centers present in a molecule help us in determination of number of stereoisomers. One chiral center gives two isomers therefore, the formula that we can use is 2n where n is number of chiral center.

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