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What are the differences between enantiomers, diastereomers, and meso compounds?

Answer 1

To understand the differences between enantiomers and diastereomers you need to be able to identify the chiral centers in the molecules then figure out the R / S configuration in each one.

Once you have determined the R / S you'll want to compare molecule A with B.

Enantiomers cause all chiral centers to change. For instance, molecule B's chiral centers would be (R,R) if molecule A's two chiral centers were (S,S).

Diastereomers have at least one chiral center that changes configuration. For instance, molecule B would have a configuration of (S,S) if molecule A had chiral centers (R,S).

Meso compounds are defined as those that have a center plane of symmetry and at least two chiral centers, as well as a superimposable mirror image.

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Answer 2

Santiago Alfonso

Enantiomers are non-superimposable mirror images, diastereomers are stereoisomers that are not mirror images, and meso compounds contain chiral centers but are achiral due to internal symmetry.

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Answer from HIX Tutor

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.