Practice Identifying meso Compounds Study guide
A meso compound contains stereocenters yet is achiral: an internal mirror plane makes the molecule superimposable on its own reflection. The study guide covers how to spot one.
Decide whether each molecule below is meso.
Is this a meso compound?
Common Questions
What is a meso compound?
A meso compound has multiple stereocenters but is optically inactive because it contains an internal plane of symmetry. The stereocenters within the molecule cancel each other out.
How do you identify a meso compound?
Look for an internal mirror plane that divides the molecule into two halves that are mirror images of each other. If one half has R configuration, the corresponding center on the other half must be S.
Is a meso compound chiral or achiral?
A meso compound is achiral despite having stereocenters. The internal symmetry makes the molecule superimposable on its mirror image, so it does not rotate plane-polarized light.
Can a molecule with two stereocenters be meso?
Yes, but only if the two stereocenters have opposite configurations (one R, one S) and the molecule has an internal plane of symmetry. If both are R or both are S, the molecule is chiral.