Question

To show that (R)-2-butyl (R,R)-tartrate and (S)-2-butyl (R,R)-tartrate are not enantiomers, draw and name the mirror images of these compounds.

Short answer

The given molecules do not form non-superimposable mirror images and hence are not enantiomers.

Step-by-step solution

Given information

The molecules given are (R)-2-butyl (R,R)-tartrate and (S)-2-butyl (R,R)-tartrate.

Enantiomer

A molecule is said to have an asymmetric center when the four groups attached to the central carbon are different. Stereoisomers have identical structures but have different spatial orientations of the atoms or groups. A pair of stereoisomers are said to be enantiomers when they form superimposable mirror images.

Mirror images