Because unsymmetrical molecules completely lack meso forms, all their calculated optical stereoisome — Isomerism 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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