Question

What is the stereochemical configuration of the enantiomer of (2S,4R)-2,4-octanediol? (A diol is a compound with two-OH groups.)

Short answer

Stereochemical configurationcharacterises a particular stereoisomer by the atoms or the groups of atoms.

Stereochemical configurations are of two types:

• Absolute configuration- R, S system

• Relative configuration D-L system

Step-by-step solution

Step 1:Stereochemical configuration

Stereochemical configurationcharacterises a particular stereoisomer by the atoms or the groups of atoms.

Stereochemical configurations are of two types:

• Absolute configuration- R, S system

• Relative configuration D-L system

Step 2:Stereochemical configuration of (2S,4R)-2,4-octanediol

The enantiomer of (2S,4R)-2,4-octanediol will be opposite in the configuration;that is, the 2S,4R configuration at the chiral centre will be changed to 2R,4S.

The 2S,4R configuration and 2R,4S configuration of 2,4 -octane diol are non-suoerimposible mirror images of each other due to a lack of symmetry in the molecule:

• Lack of centre of symmetry
• Lack of plane of symmetry

The Stereochemical configuration of (2S,4R)-2,4-octane diol is shown as follows:

Stereochemical configuration of (2S,4R)-2,4-octane diol