What is the configuration of the following compound?
A)2S, 3R
B)3R, 3S
C)2S, 3S
D)2R, 3R
E)Can't do R and S; the compound is achiral.

Question

What is the configuration of the following compound? 
A)2S, 3R 
B)3R, 3S 
C)2S, 3S 
D)2R, 3R 
E)Can't do R and S; the compound is achiral.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The compound has a plane of symmetry running through the middle of the molecule, meaning that it is achiral. Therefore, it does not have R or S configuration. Instead, all five chiral centers must have the same configuration, which in this case is either all S or all R. However, since the compound has no stereocenters with a hydrogen, we cannot determine the exact configuration. Therefore, the best choice is option C, which lists both possibilities for the configuration of all five chiral centers.

What Is the Configuration of the Following Compound