Question

What is the maximum number of stereoisomers possible for a compound with:

a. three stereogenic centers;

b. eight stereogenic centers?

Short answer

1. 8 isomers.
2. 256 isomers.

Step-by-step solution

Stereogenic centre

The different groups at the chiral centers generate stereogenic centers.

Calculation of stereoisomers

The stereogenic centers give the number of stereoisomers.The formula used to calculate stereoisomer is shown as: ${\text{2}}^n$

Where n is the number of stereogenic centers.

Explanation

a. The number of stereoisomers is calculated as:

${\text{2}}^3\text{=8}$

Where 3 is the given number of stereogenic centers.

b. The number of stereoisomers is calculated as:

${\text{2}}^8\text{=256}$

Where 8 is the given number of stereogenic centers.