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Organic Chemistry: Stereochemistry Flashcards

7 cards from real DAT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

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  1. How many stereoisomers are possible for a molecule with 3 stereocenters and no internal symmetry?

    Answer: 8

    The maximum number of stereoisomers is 2^n, so 2^3 = 8.

  2. Two compounds are enantiomers. Which property differs between them?

    Answer: Direction of plane-polarized light rotation

    Enantiomers rotate plane-polarized light in equal but opposite directions while sharing all other physical properties.

  3. A meso compound is best described as:

    Answer: Achiral despite having stereocenters

    A meso compound contains stereocenters but has an internal plane of symmetry, making it achiral.

  4. What is the relationship between (2R,3R) and (2S,3R) of the same molecule?

    Answer: Diastereomers

    They differ at one stereocenter but not all, so they are diastereomers.

  5. In assigning R/S, which atom gets highest priority?

    Answer: Highest atomic number

    CIP rules rank substituents by atomic number, highest first.

  6. A racemic mixture has what observed optical rotation?

    Answer: Zero

    Equal amounts of two enantiomers cancel each other's rotation, giving zero.

  7. Geometric (cis/trans) isomerism requires:

    Answer: Restricted rotation such as a double bond or ring

    Cis/trans isomerism arises when rotation is restricted, as in alkenes or rings.