Question

Locate the stereogenic centers in each compound.

a.

b.

Short answer

a.

b.

Step-by-step solution

Stereogenic centers

The point that gives rise to stereoisomers on the interchange of any two substituents attached to it is termed chiral centers or stereogenic centers.

Generally, in molecules involving carbon atoms, the stereogenic centers are the ${\text{sp}}^3$hybridized carbon atom bonded to four different groups of atoms.

Stereogenic centers in cholesterol

The cholesterol molecules consist of eight chiral carbon centers and therefore have eight stereogenic centers

Stereogenic centers in cholesterol

Stereogenic centers in simvastatin

The simvastatin molecule consists of seven chiral carbon atoms and thus has seven stereogenic centers. The blue circles represent the stereogenic centers.

Stereogenic centers in simvastatin