What is the term for a molecule that contains chiral carbon centers but is achiral overall due to an internal plane of symmetry?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. Meso compound
A meso compound contains two or more chiral centers and an internal plane or center of symmetry, rendering the molecule superimposable on its mirror image and optically inactive (e.g., meso-tartaric acid).
Practise more Hydrocarbons and Functional Groups.
Free questions with an explanation for every one, and full timed Medical University Entrance Examination (Bulgaria) mock tests.
More Hydrocarbons and Functional Groups questions
- What is the IUPAC name of the branched alkane with structural formula (CH3)2CH-CH2-CH(CH3)2?
- What type of isomerism is demonstrated by butane and 2-methylpropane (isobutane)?
- What is the most stable conformation of cyclohexane at room temperature due to minimized torsional and steric strain?
- Which step in the free-radical chlorination of methane generates chlorine radicals by homolytic cleavage of Cl2?
- According to Markovnikov's rule, what major product is formed when propene reacts with hydrogen bromide (HBr)?
- Why does addition of hydrogen bromide to propene in the presence of benzoyl peroxide yield 1-bromopropane as the major product?