Determine the absolute configuration of the molecule shown below:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The molecule has four different groups attached to the central carbon atom, namely -COOH, -H, -CH=CH2, and -CH3. Assigning priorities to these groups based on the atomic number of the first atom in each group, we get the following sequence: -COOH > -CH=CH2 > -CH3 > -H. To determine the absolute configuration, we need to look at the spatial arrangement of these groups around the central carbon. If the lowest priority group (-H) is pointing away from us, and we read the direction of the other three groups in a clockwise direction, then the configuration is R. If they are read anticlockwise, the configuration is S. Here, if we rotate the molecule so that the -H group is pointing away from us, then we can see that the -COOH, -CH=CH2, and -CH3 groups are arranged in a clockwise direction. Therefore, the absolute configuration is R.

Determine the Absolute Configuration of the Molecule Shown Below