Isomerism and StereochemistryhardMCQ SINGLE⭐ Must-Do

Because unsymmetrical molecules completely lack meso forms, all their calculated optical stereoisomeIsomerism and Stereochemistry Chemistry Question

Question

Because unsymmetrical molecules completely lack meso forms, all their calculated optical stereoisomers exist exclusively as non-superimposable mirror images. What formula calculates the exact number of enantiomeric pairs for an unsymmetrical molecule with '$n$' chiral centers?

Answer: D

💡 Solution & Explanation

In an unsymmetrical system, every single one of the $2^n$ total stereoisomers is distinctly chiral and has a corresponding opposite mirror image. Since two enantiomers constitute exactly one pair, the total number of pairs is mathematically half of the total isomers. $\frac{2^n}{2} = 2^{n-1}$ enantiomeric pairs.

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