Meso-tartaric acid possesses two genuine chiral centers, yet it is completely optically inactive in — Isomerism and Stereochemistry Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

A meso compound is defined as a molecule containing multiple genuine chiral centers while remaining overall achiral. This occurs because the molecule possesses an internal element of symmetry, most commonly a Plane of Symmetry (POS). The optical rotation of the top chiral half is exactly canceled by the opposite rotation of the identical, mirror-image bottom half.