A complex synthetic drug is verified to be strictly structurally unsymmetrical. It contains exactly — Isomerism and Stereochemistry Chemistry Question
Question
A complex synthetic drug is verified to be strictly structurally unsymmetrical. It contains exactly 3 chiral carbon atoms along with 1 internal double bond capable of showing E/Z geometrical isomerism. Assuming no physical steric impossibilities, how many total stereoisomers can this molecule theoretically form?
Answer: B
💡 Solution & Explanation
The number of stereogenic units ('$n$') is the absolute sum of the chiral centers and the double bonds showing geometrical isomerism. Here, $n = 3 \text{ (chiral)} + 1 \text{ (double bond)} = 4$. Because the molecule is entirely unsymmetrical, the total isomer formula is $2^n$. Thus, $2^4 = 16$.
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