For a highly symmetrical molecule fundamentally containing an EVEN number of chiral centers (''), wh — Isomerism and Stereochemistry Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

In symmetrical molecules with even chiral centers, structural symmetry dictates that several expected mirror-image enantiomeric pairs actually superimpose, collapsing into single meso forms. The accurate formula for optically active isomers is $2^{n-1}$, and for meso isomers is $2^{(n/2 - 1)}$. The total stereoisomers is their sum (A). The simple $2^n$ formula strictly applies only to unsymmetrical systems.