Which of the following terms best describes the stereochemical relationship of the two compounds shown below in Fischer notation?
A) enantiomers
B) diastereomers
C) constitutional isomers
D) cis/trans - isomers
E) meso - same structure

Question

Which of the following terms best describes the stereochemical relationship of the two compounds shown below in Fischer notation? 
A) enantiomers 
B) diastereomers 
C) constitutional isomers 
D) cis/trans - isomers 
E) meso - same structure

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The two compounds shown in Fischer notation are not mirror images of each other (they have different configurations at both stereocenters), so they cannot be enantiomers. They also cannot be constitutional isomers or cis/trans isomers, as they have the same connectivity (they differ only in the way the groups are arranged around the stereocenters). The term "meso" refers to a compound that contains chiral centers but is not chiral overall, which does not apply to either of these compounds. Therefore, the best term to describe the stereochemical relationship of these two compounds is diastereomers.

Which of the Following Terms Best Describes the Stereochemical Relationship